Why The NBA Draft Was So Emotional for This Athlete and His Mom

Published: June 25, 2026

By Mallory Mattingly

Former Michigan Wolverine forward Yaxel Lendeborg was drafted as the No. 11 pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2026 NBA Draft, a moment he and his mother won’t ever forget.

As he heard his name called, Lendeborg broke down in tears as he hugged his mother, Yissel Raposo. Lendeborg credits his mother for “saving his life,” according to ESPN’s SportsCenter.

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Raposo is battling Stage 4 appendix cancer, and sharing the big milestone with her “means everything to” Lendeborg.

“She’s done so much for me. She’s put her whole life on hold for my life. I’m super proud of her for fighting so hard and I’m glad we get to share this,” he said.

“I can do everything in my power to make sure my mom knows how much she means to me. I can make sure she understands that I’m so grateful for everything she’s done,” he added. “And that all I’ve ever wanted was to be someone who my mom could be proud of, someone she is proud to call her son.”

As Lendeborg made his way to the stage, ESPN shared that he was close to giving up his dream of professional basketball many times, but his mother kept reminding him he could achieve it.

“This moment is for her.” ❤️

Yaxel Lendenborg’s mom used to call him every NBA draft night to remind him that he could be on that stage some day. She just watched him get drafted in the first round 🥹👏 pic.twitter.com/YNWgj8lvPq

— espnW (@espnW) June 24, 2026

In an issue of The Players’ Tribune, the athlete spoke about his relationship with his mom and her cancer diagnosis.

“All that I do, anything I have or will accomplish, I owe it all to her. She is my guardian angel. My hero,” he wrote in February. “And, just to be completely real with you, everything she means to me…I value and appreciate it now even more than ever before because one night a few months ago, my mom called me up on the phone and told me she had been diagnosed with cancer.”

“…With me and my mom, it’s been a bumpy journey we’ve been on together, but I am beyond grateful for everything she’s done to look out for me over the years,” he added.

Lendeborg also credits his faith in God for basketball career.

“It’s all a blessing to be honest with you,” he told Live.com about playing for Michigan. “All glory to God and thank you to my mom as well for helping me out and digging me out of the hole that I was in.”

Hearing his name called in the first round was a emotional tribute to Lendeborg’s mom’s unwavering faith, sacrifices and resilience.

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