Yaxel Lendeborg Parents: Inside His Emotional Journey With Mother Yissel Raposo
Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is attracting attention following an impressive start to his NBA career in October 2026. The 24-year-old forward, selected 11th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, has already made headlines for his performances against established NBA stars. However, behind his journey from a struggling high school student to a professional basketball player are his parents, Yissel Raposo and Okary Lendeborg, both former basketball players who represented the Dominican Republic.
Lendeborg’s family story has become particularly meaningful following his mother’s battle with appendix cancer. During the NBA Draft in June 2026, the former Michigan Wolverines star became emotional while discussing the sacrifices she made to help him achieve his dream. His relationship with his parents, especially his mother, has played a defining role in his personal development and basketball career.
Who Are Yaxel Lendeborg’s Parents?
Yaxel Lendeborg was born on September 30, 2002, in Puerto Rico, to Dominican parents Yissel Raposo and Okary Lendeborg.
Both parents were accomplished basketball players before their son began pursuing the sport professionally.
Yissel represented the Dominican Republic in basketball and volleyball, while Okary also played basketball for the country’s national team.
Their athletic backgrounds meant that competitive sports were already part of the family long before Yaxel became a recognizable basketball prospect.
The family moved from Puerto Rico to Ohio when Yaxel was approximately two years old. They later settled in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, when he was around eight.
Although both parents influenced his upbringing, Yaxel has repeatedly credited his mother with helping him overcome difficult periods during his teenage years.
Who Is Yaxel Lendeborg’s Mother Yissel Raposo?
Yissel Raposo is a former Dominican basketball and volleyball player who became one of the most influential people in her son’s life.
She played both sports at a competitive level and represented the Dominican Republic internationally.
Raposo also attended the American University of Puerto Rico, where she continued her athletic career.
Interestingly, she was still playing basketball when she discovered she was pregnant with Yaxel in 2002.
She later stepped away from competitive sports to focus on raising her family.
After moving to the United States, Raposo worked multiple jobs while supporting her children and managing household responsibilities.
Her determination became especially important when Yaxel began struggling academically during high school.
Rather than allowing him to abandon his education, she worked with school counselors and encouraged him to take responsibility for his future.
Yaxel has since described his mother as the person who changed the direction of his life.
Who Is Yaxel Lendeborg’s Father Okary Lendeborg?
Okary Lendeborg is Yaxel’s father and a former basketball player who represented the Dominican Republic national team.
Like his wife, Okary had considerable experience in competitive basketball before the family moved to the United States.
He also played college basketball in Puerto Rico, where he and Yissel were involved in athletics.
Following the family’s relocation, Okary worked long hours to help provide financial stability.
His demanding work schedule meant that Yaxel spent much of his childhood with his mother.
Okary has acknowledged that Yissel became their son’s primary role model because of the time they spent together.
Yaxel has also spoken about experiencing tension in his relationship with his father during his younger years.
Although their relationship has faced difficulties, Okary has remained connected to his son’s basketball journey.
He appeared alongside Yissel in family photographs following Michigan’s successful NCAA Tournament run in March 2026.
How Yaxel Lendeborg’s Mother Saved His Basketball Career
Yaxel Lendeborg’s path to professional basketball was far from straightforward.
While attending Pennsauken High School in New Jersey, he struggled with his grades and spent considerable time playing video games.
His academic difficulties prevented him from participating in organized school basketball for much of his high school career.
The situation became more challenging after the loss of his maternal grandfather, who had encouraged his early interest in sports.
During his senior year, Yissel confronted him about his lack of direction.
In a personal essay published in February 2026, Lendeborg recalled an emotional conversation with his mother that forced him to reconsider his future.
She encouraged him to improve his grades, take school seriously and pursue opportunities outside his comfort zone.
With help from school counselors, Yaxel began rebuilding his academic record.
He eventually became eligible to play during the final portion of his senior basketball season.
His mother later helped him secure an opportunity to attend Arizona Western College, where he could continue developing his basketball skills.
Lendeborg has repeatedly explained that without his mother’s intervention, he might never have reached Division I basketball, much less the NBA.
Yissel Raposo’s Cancer Diagnosis and Emotional NBA Draft Moment
Yissel Raposo’s health became a major concern for the family after she was diagnosed with appendix cancer before the 2025-26 college basketball season.
Her treatment included chemotherapy, which made attending her son’s games more difficult.
Despite the challenges, she continued following his performances and supporting his basketball ambitions.
Lendeborg publicly discussed his mother’s diagnosis in February 2026, revealing how much her determination meant to him.
During Michigan’s NCAA Tournament run, Raposo attended games whenever her health allowed.
The family’s emotional journey reached another milestone on June 23, 2026, when the Golden State Warriors selected Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick in the NBA Draft.
After hearing his name announced, Yaxel embraced his mother and became visibly emotional.
During his post-draft interview, he credited her sacrifices and explained that she had encouraged him to become a better person.
The moment attracted widespread attention because it highlighted the difficult journey behind his professional success.
Does Yaxel Lendeborg Have Siblings?
Yaxel Lendeborg has three sisters, making him the eldest brother in a family of four children.
One of his sisters, Yisendy Lendeborg, has also pursued basketball.
Yisendy attends Pennsauken High School in New Jersey, the same school where her older brother began developing his basketball career.
She has played for the school’s basketball team and has spoken positively about Yaxel’s achievements.
During Michigan’s successful NCAA Tournament campaign in April 2026, Yisendy expressed pride in seeing someone from their community reach such a high level of college basketball.
Their father has occasionally shared family photographs on social media, offering glimpses of the siblings together.
However, the family has generally kept information about Yaxel’s other sisters relatively private.
Yaxel Lendeborg’s Journey From Michigan to the Golden State Warriors
Before becoming an NBA player, Lendeborg spent two seasons at Arizona Western College.
He later transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he developed into one of the most productive players in Conference USA and the American Athletic Conference.
His performances attracted interest from major college basketball programs.
In 2025, he transferred to the University of Michigan rather than immediately entering the NBA Draft.
The decision proved important for his development.
During the 2025-26 season, Lendeborg became a consensus All-American and earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors.
He also helped Michigan reach the NCAA Final Four, bringing national attention to his unusual basketball journey.
His college success eventually led to his selection by the Golden State Warriors in June 2026.
In October, he began his rookie NBA season, demonstrating the versatility and competitive approach that made him a highly regarded draft prospect.
Where Are Yaxel Lendeborg’s Parents Now?
Yissel Raposo and Okary Lendeborg have remained closely associated with their son’s basketball journey.
Yissel has received particular attention because of her cancer treatment and the emotional moments she shared with Yaxel during his college and NBA milestones.
Public reporting has documented her chemotherapy treatment, although her current medical condition has not been fully detailed.
Okary has also appeared in family photographs and discussions about his son’s development.
The family’s connection to New Jersey remains significant, especially because Yaxel’s younger sister continues playing basketball in Pennsauken.
From representing the Dominican Republic in basketball to watching their son enter the NBA, Yissel Raposo and Okary Lendeborg have experienced an extraordinary family journey.
While both parents contributed to his upbringing, Yaxel has consistently identified his mother’s sacrifices, encouragement and belief in his potential as the biggest influences on his success.
His rise to the Golden State Warriors represents not only an individual sporting achievement but also the result of years of family support, difficult decisions and personal determination.
