Former No. 4 Overall Pick Signs In Spain

When the Phoenix Suns made him the No. 4 overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft, they expected big things from Croatian 7-foot center/power forward Dragan Bender. 

Unfortunately, in three seasons there, he averaged just 5.3 points and 3.8 rebounds, and the Suns let him go as a free agent. He played just one more season in the NBA, spending a handful of games with the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors in 2019-20.

Now, after tearing his ACL in 2021 while playing with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Bender has agreed to pick up his career in Spain's top professional league, signing on with Obradoiro. 

"Dragan is a power forward who can form a pair with any of the inside players we have, already in the team thanks to his size, versatility and outside shooting. He has just been a year without playing, but we are confident in his talent, ability of work and enthusiasm to return to the highest level", said Obradoiro general director  José Luis Mateo.

In 4 NBA seasons, Bender averaged 5.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. With Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Super League in 2020-21, he averaged 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Photos: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports,