YUMA, Ariz. - All eyes in the basketball world will gravitate to the NBA draft this evening with former Arizona Western standout, Yaxel Lendeborg, expected to hear his name called sometime in the early to middle of the first round.

"It's been on the radar for quite some time," Arizona Western head men's basketball coach Kyle Isaacs said. "Super happy for him to have this opportunity tonight."

Lendeborg will become the fifth player in Arizona Western men's basketball program history to reach the NBA. He'll become the third Matador to be drafted and the second in program history to potentially be taken as a lottery pick. A lottery pick is a selection made in the top 14 picks of the NBA draft, made up of teams that did not qualify for the NBA playoffs. Rafael Araújo was selected 8th overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2004. 

"It's awesome. It's great for our program. It's great for our community. It's great for junior college," Isaacs said. "We're trying to use it to our best ability and recruitment of student athletes. Hopefully the rest of the programs on campus or doing the same thing."

When Lendeborg hears his named called, he'll join Rafael Araújo (8th overall, 2004) and Nate "Tiny" Archibald (19th overall, 1970) as the only former Matadors to be drafted into the NBA. Lendeborg will also become the fifth player from Arizona Western history to reach the NBA. Trevor Ruffin (1994-96) and Robert Smith (1977-84) reached the NBA as undrafted free agents. Lendeborg is also expected to be the first player chosen with junior college experience. 

"I don't anticipate there being a higher junior college draft pick than him," Isaacs said. "It's one thing that we've been telling people and our student athletes. Arizona Western is going to have the highest draft pick in the NBA this next season that started at the JUCO level, how cool is that?" 

Isaacs also points out the lasting friendships Yaxel made during his three years at Arizona Western. 

"Two of his former teammates from here, Marquise Hargrove and Evan Butts are there with him in New York City," Isaacs said. "So that's really neat to see. They're just there to show support. Hargrove went with Yaxel to UAB. They were roommates here for two years and then played with each other at UAB for two years."

The NBA draft is this evening starting at 5:00 pm MT and airs on ESPN /ABC. Lendeborg is expected to be selected anywhere between 9th and 15th overall.