All About Yaxel Lendeborg's Parents (Who Are Former Basketball Players Themselves!)

Yaxel Lendeborg and his mom Yissel Raposo in March 2026. Credit: Yaxel Lendeborg/X NEED TO KNOW Yaxel Lendeborg was born to his mom, Yissel Raposo, and dad, Okary Lendeborg Yissel and Okary are both former basketball players Yaxel has called his mom, who has cancer, the "strongest woman" he knows Yaxel Lendeborg comes from a family of basketball players. The University of Michigan basketball star was born in Puerto Rico to his parents, mom Yissel Raposo and dad Okary Lendeborg, both of whom played in the Dominican Republic, per MLive.

com . Yaxel has been candid about his close relationship with his mom, often speaking about how she helped him get to where he is today both personally and professionally. In a February 2026 essay for The Players' Tribune , Yaxel got candid about his mother's cancer diagnosis and why it means so much to him to make her "proud," especially amid the 2026 March Madness tournament.

"I know that more than anything else, what makes my mom most happy is seeing me happy. Seeing me accomplish my goals," he wrote. "And I know there’s nothing I could do right now that would make her happier than seeing me keep working hard, keep playing my best, and help bring a national championship to the University of Michigan.

" The basketball star added, "So that right there is my focus. I want more than anything to cut down those nets — for so many reasons, but most of all for HER. " Here's everything to know about Yaxel Lendeborg's parents.