Maccabi Tel Aviv's Dragan Bender could be an intriguing option for the top teams in this year's draft lottery due to the Croatian's huge potential to be one of the league's upcoming star.
The 2016 NBA draft class features another European talent in Croatian forward/center Bender, who has been likened to New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis. The 18-year-old, considered as one of the gems in this year's young hopefuls, is projected to be drafted within the top five overall selection because of the unique combination of his size and skills.
Derek Bodner of USA Today described how Bender emerged as one of the top prospects in the forthcoming draft event. Bodner wrote in his piece that NBA teams' scouts are in love with Bender's athleticism despite his 7-foot-1 frame, which comes as a unique attribute for a towering player.
"Scouts absolutely love Bender's athleticism, particularly his mobility, a relatively unique attribute for somebody 7-1. Bender has regularly defended perimeter ball handlers, both when switching on pick and rolls and as a straight-up defensive assignment," Bodner noted.
Bender has drawn comparisons to 7-foot-3 Porzingis, who took over New York with his shooting and athleticism. The Croatian center is projected to be selected third overall in most of the mock draft scenarios, but John Wilson of Sports Illustrated's Fansided believes Bender could fall above the No. 5 pick because of the uncertainty of translating his international skills into NBA's grind.
"There's still a hesitation with international players just because of the unknown of how their skills will transfer to the high athleticism of the NBA, so I think a few teams will pass on Bender despite how good he seems to be," Wilson wrote. "Bender will fall to fifth or sixth."
Bender's lack of opportunity to display his potential for Maccabi Tel Aviv may also be a factor of getting drafted lower than what most reports projected. Bender only averaged 4.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.7 blocks, while playing 12.3 minutes per game for the Israeli Premier League club.
Nevertheless, Bender will still have a chance to display his talent when he works out for teams before the draft event, and could be another moment scouts once again get intrigued with the Croatian big man.
Credit: YouTube/Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball