Dragan Bender

Dragan Bender (born November 17, 1997) is a Croatian former professional basketball player. He is 213 cm tall and played as a power forward and center. He was selected by the Phoenix Suns as the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, but spent four seasons in the league. Bender represented the Croatian national team and has experience in FIBA's European junior tournaments. Before moving to Israel, he played for several clubs in Croatia and in the Nikola Vujičić academy.

Early Life

Bender was born on November 17, 1997, in Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and later moved to Split, Croatia. At the age of 12, he began training at the Nikola Vujičić basketball academy, where he initially played as a point guard. Vujičić, a former star of Maccabi Tel Aviv, became his guardian. At the academy, Bender developed versatility and learned to play all positions.

He played alongside his older brother Ivan and also represented the youth teams of KK Split and the Croatian U-16 national team. He cited Toni Kukoč as a role model, studying his game from a young age. He particularly followed the EuroLeague and occasionally the NBA.

Professional Career

Split (2012–2013)

He made his professional debut at the age of 15 in the jersey of KK Split. He played a total of six minutes, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound.

Kaštela (2013–2014)

In the following season, he signed with KK Kaštela, which was then playing in the second Croatian league. He helped the club secure promotion to the A-1 league, particularly standing out with a game-winning shot three seconds before the end against KK Gorica.

In February 2014, he joined the junior team of KK Cedevita at the Euroleague Basketball Next Generation tournament, where he recorded 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists against the juniors of KK Mega Basket.

Ironi Ramat Gan (2014–2016)

In 2014, he signed a seven-year contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv but was immediately loaned to Ironi Ramat Gan, a club in the second Israeli league. In the 2014/15 season, he averaged 9.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, after which he returned to Maccabi.

Maccabi Tel Aviv (2015–2016)

He made his debut for Maccabi in the Israeli Premier League on October 11, 2015. In the 2015/16 season, he helped the club win the Israeli Cup and was selected as a foreign star for the All-Star game.

In April 2016, he declared for the NBA draft, and Maccabi terminated his contract with a buyout of $1.3 million.

NBA Career

Phoenix Suns (2016–2019)

In the 2016 NBA draft, he was selected by the Phoenix Suns as the fourth overall pick, making him the highest-drafted Croatian in draft history. He debuted on October 26, 2016, against the Sacramento Kings, scoring 10 points. During three seasons with the Suns, he had several notable games, including a career-high 23 points in February 2018.

In 2017, he underwent ankle surgery, and in 2019, the club did not exercise the option to extend his contract.

Milwaukee Bucks (2019–2020)

In July 2019, he signed a two-year minimum contract with Milwaukee Bucks, but was waived in February 2020.

Golden State Warriors (2020)

In February 2020, he signed a ten-day contract with Golden State Warriors. In one of the games, he scored 23 points, tying his personal record. After the season was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he became a free agent. His NBA career is often described as unfulfilled potential of a high draft pick.

Return to Europe

In 2020, he returned to Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he averaged 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in the EuroLeague. In May 2021, he suffered a severe injury that sidelined him for the entire 2021/22 season.

In August 2022, he signed with Monbus Obradoiro from the Spanish ACB league, but in December he suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.

National Team Career

Junior National Team

He represented the Croatian U-16 and U-18 teams at European championships. At the U-18 championship in 2014, he won a bronze medal and was named to the tournament's best five.

In 2015, he was supposed to participate in the World U-19 Championship but withdrew due to a sponsorship conflict between Adidas and Jordan Brand.

Senior National Team

At EuroBasket 2017, he played for the Croatian senior national team, averaging 4.3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist per game over six matches.