Jonathan Bender
Drafted by:
Toronto, Round 1, pick 5.

 
EXPERT ANALYSIS
  "Jonathan Bender is every bit 6-11 and he is long. Bender is a wonderful athlete that can stroke it from beyond the 3-point line, and can really run the floor. He has a nice touch and has shotblocking ability. Bender is a player that would have benefitted from a year or two of college in order to get stronger, but will be a lottery pick because of his potential.

Bender is slim and is not particularly strong. Bender can post up, but does not have great footwork or power moves. Because he is a superior athlete with perimeter skills, he often floats to the perimeter instead of establishing himself in the post. Defensively, Bender can block and change shots, but does not have the bulk to keep most NBA big men off the block or to deny the post. Bender will not be an immediate impact player, but could wind up maturing much the way Tracy McGrady has in Toronto."
-- ESPN's Jay Bilas

College: Picayune HS
Height: 6-11
Weight: 205 pounds
Position: Forward
Age: 18 (Jan. 30, 1981)
Birthplace: Binghamton, N.Y.

Career highlights

  • Early entry candidate for the 1999 NBA draft
  • Averaged 23.1 points, 15 rebounds, five blocked shots and 4.0 assists for 27-10 Picayune H.S. in Mississippi (Picayune is 45 miles north of New Orleans)
  • In the 1999 McDonald's High School All-American Game, scored a record 31 points (Michael Jordan - 30 pts) and blocked three shots in 31 minutes for the West team
  • In 24 minutes at Magic's Roundball Classic, scored 11 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots
  • Recruited by Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Mississippi, LSU and Tulane and had signed with Mississippi State prior to declaring for the draft
  • The Sporting News rated him as the nation's ninth-best junior in its 1997-98 college basketball preview

    College statistics
    SEASON G FGM FGA PCT FTM FTA PCT REB AST PTS AVG
    McDonald's All-America 19991311119.579712.58310031
    Three-point field goals: 2-for-3 (.667).
    Magic's Roundball Classic 1999124410.400221.0007211
    Three-point field goals: 1-for-1 (1.000).

    *Bender's high school statistics were not availiable











  • ALSO SEE
    Raptors, Pacers complete Davis-for-Bender trade

    ESPN.COM
    NBA: Scores/Schedules | Standings | Statistics | Transactions | Injuries
    Copyright ©1999 ESPN Internet Ventures. Click here for Terms of Use and Privacy Policy applicable to this site. Click here for a list of employment opportunities with ESPN.com.