Jonathan Bender was a professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for several years. He was born on January 30, 1981, in Picayune, Mississippi, and attended Picayune Memorial High School.
Bender was a highly-touted prospect coming out of high school and was selected fifth overall in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. However, he was immediately traded to the Indiana Pacers, where he spent the majority of his career.
Bender was known for his height and athleticism, standing at 7 feet tall and possessing a 7'7" wingspan. He was also known for his shooting ability, particularly from long range.
Despite his potential, Bender's career was plagued by injuries. He missed significant time due to knee injuries, which ultimately led to his retirement in 2010 at the age of 29.
Throughout his career, Bender played for the Indiana Pacers, the New York Knicks, and the New Orleans Hornets. He was never able to live up to his potential due to his injuries, but he did have some notable performances.
One of Bender's most memorable games came in the 2003 NBA Playoffs, where he scored a career-high 22 points in a win over the Boston Celtics. He also had a 31-point game against the Milwaukee Bucks in 2001.
After retiring from basketball, Bender became an entrepreneur and inventor. He founded a company called JB Intensive Trainer, which produces a device designed to help athletes improve their jumping ability.
Overall, Jonathan Bender's basketball career was marked by potential and promise, but ultimately cut short by injuries. Despite this, he remains a respected figure in the basketball community and has found success in his post-basketball career.
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