Image via Complex Original
It looks like the NBA could have another year where a European rookie phenom takes the league by storm.
Last season, it was lanky Latvian Kristaps Porzingis, the No. 4 pick by the New York Knicks. This year it could be Dragan Bender, the 18-year-old Croatian who has been turning heads and looks to get selected somewhere in the top five.
Bender is a 7’1”, 225-pound stretch four who has developed into a star in Israel, putting up impressive numbers for David Blatt's old squad Maccabi Tel Aviv. But, even with all of the recent exposure, few Americans know much about Bender off the court. So before commissioner Adam Silver calls his name, find out more about the teenage baller with these 14 Things You Didn’t Know About Dragan Bender.
His idol is Tony Kukoc.
Bender looked up to the former 6’11” Chicago Bulls forward during his early years. The fellow Croatian also played for KK Split, the team for which Bender first made his pro debut.
He can skate...and shoot at the same time.
When there's millions (and millions!) on the line, maybe it's worth wearing a helmet and/or not skating at all next time.
Upon getting drafted, he will be the youngest player in the NBA.
He is one of nine potential draft picks born in 1997, but he won’t turn 19 until Nov. 17. Phoenix's Devin Booker was the youngest player in the league last season, turning 19 just before the Suns' campaign began.
He was coached by David Blatt.
The man who was fired from the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this season was the coach at Maccabi Tel Aviv from 2001-2004 and again from 2010-2014. He coached Bender from 2012-2014.
He's extremely loyal to adidas.
Bender currently has a shoe deal with adidas that he signed two years ago. He was supposed to play in the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship for Croatia last summer but reportedly bowed out of the tournament because Croatia has a deal with Jordan brand and neither side wanted to anger their respective sponsor.
There are two reasons why he wore the No. 3 with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Another one of Bender’s Croation idols, the late Nets guard Drazen Petrovic, wore the number when he was a member of the Nets. But Bender also likes it because "it's a cool number."
He doesn't have a middle name.
Dragan Bender is cool enough of a name. No need for him to get greedy.
The Maccabi Tel Aviv GM is Bender's guardian.
Nikola Vujcic was a five-time All-Euroleague player between 2003 and 2007 and helped Maccabi Tel Aviv take home a pair of Euroleague titles. He currently serves as the team's general manager and Bender's legal guardian in Israel. The two first met after Bender enrolled in Vujcic’s basketball academy when he was 13.
His brother, Ivan, plays for the University of Maryland.
Ivan Bender is 6’9”, 235 pounds and completed his freshman year with the Terps this past season. He had a season high five points and six boards against Saint Francis, which tells us he has a ways to go to reach his brother's level.
He's a fan of "Family Guy."
Imagine Peter Griffin and Stewie saying “Dragan Bender.”
He made his pro debut at age 15.
His first professional appearance came on May 7, 2003, where he played just one minute and grabbed one rebound with KK Split in Croatia.
He doesn't have crazy hops.
From 2014 to 2015, his no-step vert shrunk from 24.5 inches to 23.5 inches. However, max vert increased from 25.5 inches to 27.5 inches. But remember, his 7’1” frame still enables him throw it down with authority.
He likes go-karts.
Whatever NBA team drafts Bender, they might have to throw a clause in his contract preventing him from riding go-karts if he races them like this.
He loves kids.
His Instagram is filled with pictures of him hanging out with children and signing autographs for them. Because at 18 years of age, he’s still pretty much a kid himself.
