Full Name: Brandon Bender
Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 6-10 / 250
Birthdate: November 5, 1982
High School: Ballard HS (Louisville, KY)
College: Robert Morris (IL) College

BACKGROUND

College Highlights: An early entry candidate for the 2004 NBA Draft. Also declared for early entry for the 2002 NBA Draft, but withdrew his name from consideration. Finished collegiate career at Robert Morris College, an NAIA Division I school located in Chicago. Started career at Louisville and also played one year at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in Ohio.

Junior (2003-04): Averaged 14.4 points and team-leading 10.9 rebounds. Grabbed double-digit rebounds in 15 of the 20 games he appeared in. Set season-highs of 30 points and 19 rebounds against St. Xavier in the finals of the CCAC tournament. Tallied 13 points, 13 rebounds, and a season-high six blocked shots against St. Francis. Scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against Siena Heights (MI) in his first appearance of the season. Led team with 20 points and 12 rebounds at Purdue-Calumet. Recorded a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds in a first round NAIA Tournament win over Langston (OK).

Sophomore (2002-03): At Cincinnati State, averaged 14.1 points and a team-leading 8.4 rebounds. Scored 23 points and grabbed ten rebounds against Cuyahoga CC. Tallied 22 points and 13 rebounds against Columbus State CC. Recorded 26 points and 11 rebounds against Joliet JC. Grabbed 16 rebounds against Lakeland CC.

Freshman (2001-02): At Louisville, averaged 3.7 points and 3.9 rebounds in 12.1 minutes a contest. Started twice. Appeared in 14 games before choosing to leave the team. Best game was 11 points (on 5-for-5 shooting), eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots against Ohio State. Tallied six points, six rebounds, and two blocks against Tennessee.

Personal: Best basketball advice given to him was "Run. Get up and down the floor." When he played basketball as a kid, he pretended he was Shaquille O'Neal.