Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has quickly established himself as one of the NBA’s most intriguing young players, combining his impressive physical attributes with an unusually advanced understanding of the game.
And according to the 24-year-old, some of that basketball intelligence comes from a rather unexpected source: NBA 2K.
In an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole, Lendeborg revealed that playing the popular basketball video game helped him develop his ability to read defenses, anticipate opponents’ decisions and process situations before they fully unfold on the court.
“I definitely learned that from 2K,” Lendeborg admitted.
Rather than simply playing the game for entertainment, the 6-foot-9 forward regularly chose to control the point guard, forcing himself to think like a playmaker.
He explained that the experience taught him to recognize defensive traps, anticipate passing-lane steals and prepare multiple options before making a decision. As a result, Lendeborg believes the real game often feels slower because he has already encountered similar situations virtually.
Lendeborg also credited legendary Los Angeles Lakers point guard Magic Johnson with influencing his approach to basketball.
“When I first started playing basketball, I was a big-time passer; I watched Magic Johnson,” he explained.
Although he initially lacked advanced ballhandling skills, Lendeborg became fascinated with passing and creating opportunities for his teammates. During his early basketball years, much of his game revolved around rebounding, blocking shots and throwing outlet passes.
That foundation eventually developed into a remarkably versatile skill set.
After progressing through Arizona Western College, UAB and Michigan, where he helped the Wolverines win the 2026 national championship, Lendeborg was selected 11th overall by Golden State in the NBA Draft.
Now, his unusual basketball education is beginning to pay off at the highest level.
The rookie recently delivered a spectacular 31-point, 12-rebound, six-assist performance against the Denver Nuggets, demonstrating the scoring ability, court vision and decision-making that have made him such an exciting addition to the Warriors.
While video games alone certainly cannot explain his remarkable development, Lendeborg’s story offers an interesting example of how basketball knowledge can come from unexpected places.
