Among the players projected to be selected in the early portion of the first round, Bender is the most unfamiliar to U.S. basketball fans, as the only elite prospect who did not play in the NCAA last season. The Croatian big man, who won’t turn 19 until several weeks into the NBA’s 2016-17 regular season on Nov. 17, is described by many as symbolizing the league’s future, a skilled 7-footer who can pass and shoot. Although it’s easy to liken him to another international player – New York phenom Kristaps Porzingis – draft analysts caution against doing that, saying it’s not accurate.
Draft Profile: Dragan Bender
