2016 NBA Draft: Stretch 4s Who Can Realistically Thrive

Dragan Bender, Maccabi Tel Aviv

Age: 18 (11/17/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0.5″, 216 pounds, 7’2″
Slash Line: .423/.338/.719
Season Averages: 12.9 MPG, 4.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.8 ORPG, 0.8 BPG, 0.7 3PM

Dragan Bender is all but guaranteed to be a Top 5 selection in the 2016 NBA Draft. He’s a physically imposing player with youth on his size, existing professional experience, defensive potential, positional versatility, and a dynamic offensive game.

Shooting is more of a tool in Bender’s arsenal than his primary skill, but he can already hit the 3-ball with consistency.

Bender told Jacob Eisenberg of DraftExpress that he patterns his game after three players: Toni Kukoc, Nikola Mirotic, and Dirk Nowitzki. What the former two players establish is that Bender plays a well-rounded game.

What the latter player establishes is that Bender aims to be able to consistently knock down jump shots from all over the court.

Bender already has strong shooting mechanics, and does a solid job of keeping that form consistent. He’s comfortable from beyond the arc, and is capable of attacking closeouts—a strength that makes his jumper that much more respectable.

If all else fails for Bender in the NBA, he should be able to get by on his size and shooting range.

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