The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Q+A With UAB MBB's Yaxel Lendeborg
8/16/2023 10:44:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB men's basketball junior forward Yaxel Lendeborg enters his first season at UAB in 2023-24 after transferring in from Arizona Western. Lendeborg ranked as the No. 9 player in the 2023 JUCORecruiting.com Top 100 Player Rankings and he was a two-time NJCAA DI All-American.
What made you choose UAB?
"I felt the most wanted here. Coach Cross did an amazing job introducing UAB to me, and Coach Kennedy topped it off with a great presentation and some words that made me believe in myself in a way I never did before."
What is it like playing with Marquis Hargrove at Arizona Western and now here at UAB?
"It's a blessing. I feel like there are not many times where you can play JUCO with one of your best friends and transfer over to the same Division I school. It feels like I'm playing with my brother that I never had."
What was your journey to Division I basketball like?
"This journey to Division I has been hectic. I never thought that I would make it here from finishing high school without an offer to being one of the highest recruited players in JUCO. This still doesn't feel real to me, but I thank God every day for helping me and guiding me through this new chapter in my life and I thank my mom for steering back to the right path. I wouldn't be anything without them."
What has stood out to you since joining the UAB roster this summer?
"The drastic change in tempo, and the way you get treated is insane. I feel like a superstar every day."
Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?
"I say a prayer before every game, and I wear the same color underwear every time. I made a playlist and I always listen to the same three songs and then let it shuffle afterwards. For away games, I watch this "coming home" video about LeBron James and then some Michael Jordan motivational videos to feel like MJ."
Who is your favorite musical artist?
"My favorite artist is Chris Brown."
What is your favorite food?
"Favorite food is a dungeness crab seafood boil."
Who is the player that you model your game after the most?
"I would say Magic Johnson, but I've been looking more like Anthony Davis lately."
How would you describe your game?
"I would say I'm very unselfish. I'm somebody who would rather see my teammate score than myself though many say I'm too unselfish. I always go out and try to encourage my team to the best of my ability and be a high energy guy."
Which one of your teammates are you expecting a big year from?
"I expect Alejandro Vasquez to have a big year this year because he's been at this level before. He went to JUCO, dominated, and now he's back where he belongs. I just feel like has something to prove. His skill is unmatched."
What is it like playing for Andy Kennedy?
"Playing for Coach AK is amazing. He has a lot of experience as a player and coach, and he gives his players a ton of freedom which is rare nowadays in my opinion."
2023-24 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men's basketball season are available starting as low as $110. Season ticket packages will feature all home games during UAB's inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games at Bartow Arena. Fans may renew season tickets, purchase new season tickets, or request more information on season ticket options here. For more information about season ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
POWER UP
UAB Athletics is excited to officially compete in the American Athletic Conference and needs Blazer Nation to Power Up by becoming a 2023 Blazer Boosters member. Join Blazer Boosters today as UAB student-athletes compete for championships, graduate with honors, and make a difference in our community.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.
What made you choose UAB?
"I felt the most wanted here. Coach Cross did an amazing job introducing UAB to me, and Coach Kennedy topped it off with a great presentation and some words that made me believe in myself in a way I never did before."
What is it like playing with Marquis Hargrove at Arizona Western and now here at UAB?
"It's a blessing. I feel like there are not many times where you can play JUCO with one of your best friends and transfer over to the same Division I school. It feels like I'm playing with my brother that I never had."
What was your journey to Division I basketball like?
"This journey to Division I has been hectic. I never thought that I would make it here from finishing high school without an offer to being one of the highest recruited players in JUCO. This still doesn't feel real to me, but I thank God every day for helping me and guiding me through this new chapter in my life and I thank my mom for steering back to the right path. I wouldn't be anything without them."
What has stood out to you since joining the UAB roster this summer?
"The drastic change in tempo, and the way you get treated is insane. I feel like a superstar every day."
Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?
"I say a prayer before every game, and I wear the same color underwear every time. I made a playlist and I always listen to the same three songs and then let it shuffle afterwards. For away games, I watch this "coming home" video about LeBron James and then some Michael Jordan motivational videos to feel like MJ."
Who is your favorite musical artist?
"My favorite artist is Chris Brown."
What is your favorite food?
"Favorite food is a dungeness crab seafood boil."
Who is the player that you model your game after the most?
"I would say Magic Johnson, but I've been looking more like Anthony Davis lately."
How would you describe your game?
"I would say I'm very unselfish. I'm somebody who would rather see my teammate score than myself though many say I'm too unselfish. I always go out and try to encourage my team to the best of my ability and be a high energy guy."
Which one of your teammates are you expecting a big year from?
"I expect Alejandro Vasquez to have a big year this year because he's been at this level before. He went to JUCO, dominated, and now he's back where he belongs. I just feel like has something to prove. His skill is unmatched."
What is it like playing for Andy Kennedy?
"Playing for Coach AK is amazing. He has a lot of experience as a player and coach, and he gives his players a ton of freedom which is rare nowadays in my opinion."
2023-24 SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2023-24 UAB men's basketball season are available starting as low as $110. Season ticket packages will feature all home games during UAB's inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games at Bartow Arena. Fans may renew season tickets, purchase new season tickets, or request more information on season ticket options here. For more information about season ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.
POWER UP
UAB Athletics is excited to officially compete in the American Athletic Conference and needs Blazer Nation to Power Up by becoming a 2023 Blazer Boosters member. Join Blazer Boosters today as UAB student-athletes compete for championships, graduate with honors, and make a difference in our community.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB men's basketball team, follow @UAB_MBB on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
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