Yaxel Lendeborg gets the Bay Area download

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 24: Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors arrives to the arena before the game against the Phoenix Suns on October 24, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

NBA and Take-Two’s Rookie Dinner series dropped their latest which happens to feature the story of the moment: Yaxel Lendeborg. Oakland’s own Drew Gooden and San Jose’s Aaron Gordon break bread with the new sensation at Berkeley’s Everett and Jones.

Yaxel talks about his mom’s cancer being a motivator for his involvement in donating and raising the profile of cancer fundraisers and research.

Among the bits of wisdom Gooden and Gordon impart:

• Rookies aren’t hazed the way they used to be
• It’s hard to replicate the one for all, all for one, sacrifice your numbers to win nature of college in the pros
• The pro game is a lot more zero sum
• “Don’t get bip’d… and don’t bap.”
• “Just stay with it. There are some freaks in this league. Real monsters in this league. This sh*t will humble you.”
• “The more you give out, the more that comes back around.”
• “You don’t want to take work home with you.” — meditation, reading… maybe go down to Half Moon Bay.

Yaxel’s most notable reactions:

• Hearing about how rookies used to be hazed
• Hearing about AAU
• Learning the definitions of “bip’d” and “bap’d.”
• Aaron Gordon praising his game.

Then, Mistah F.A.B. drops by to join the chorus, confirming the bip-bap lesson but also dapping up the rookie. He, Gordon, and Gooden were all impressed by his real work experience, too, and think that’s what’ll make him a success in the league.

Mistah F.A.B. also advised him on how to help out with the community: “Just be authentic. Don’t even come in with the cameras.” This is great advice. Then he calls Too $hort for some more advice. So, if you’re a $hort completist, check out this video, because it’s canon. So, Mistah F.A.B., Too $hort, Drew Gooden, Aaron Gordon: this is a group of people who’ve forgotten more about the Bay than a lot of Northern Californians learn in a lifetime.

Yaxel then poses a question: “How did you deal with your success and your fame? Stay humble, stay who you are and, like, still be able to remain the same to your friends and those around you?” Some of the advice he gets back:

• It’s very materialistic in the NBA in those early days. Just take care of your family.

• “A pure heart is all that matters… when you come from certain humble beginnings, man, only time I’m going back there is if I’m coming to help.”

The biggest thing I learned is that he grew up a baseball guy, which just goes to show why I like him so much. He also communicated how much he did not want to follow in his mom’s footsteps doing manual labor. He feels as genuine and down to earth here as he has in other public appearances.

But beyond this video, the podcast and online chatter, I’ve also learned that his popularity is spreading quickly IRL. Two nights ago, I was seated for a screening for the limited release of a restoration of the 1971 Ken Russell film The Devils and in the theater — there were maybe 25-30 people in attendance — somebody came in wearing a Lendeborg Warriors jersey. 376 miles away from Chase Center and he’s making an impression beyond talking trash about Luka Dončić.

They’ll face off again later tonight.