Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the information on Jonathan Bender:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Jonathan Rene Bender
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born January 30, 1981
  • Hometown: Picayune, Mississippi, USA
  • Height: 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 meters)
  • Weight: 230 pounds (104 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 1 inch
  • Shoe Size: Size 20 (US)
  • Number: Wore #24 and #5 during his NBA career
  • Position: Small Forward / Power Forward
  • High School: Picayune Memorial High School (Picayune, Mississippi)
  • College: Did not attend college (entered the NBA directly from high school)
  • NBA Draft: 1999 NBA Draft, 1st Round, 5th overall by the Toronto Raptors (rights traded to the Indiana Pacers)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Indiana Pacers (1999–2006)
    • New York Knicks (2009–2010)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Information not widely publicized
  • Siblings: Information not widely publicized

Player Archetype / Play Style

Jonathan Bender’s player archetype was that of a long, fluid scoring forward, a high-upside combo forward whose value came from size, shot-making flashes, and face-up skill more than interior bruising. Defensively, he projected and operated more as a weak-side helper and length-based disruptor than a true post enforcer, using his reach to contest shots and bother passing lanes when healthy. Offensively, his role leaned toward complementary scoring: he could attack from the wing, finish above the rim, and stretch defenses with a workable jumper, which made him an intriguing mismatch piece despite an injury-hit career. Physically, Bender stood about 7 feet tall with a lean frame and uncommon mobility for that size, and his overall play style blended perimeter skill, rangy athleticism, and finesse, giving him the profile of a modern-style big wing before that mold became common. (NBA)

Sources:

NBA.com — Jonathan Bender | Forward | Indiana Pacers
Basketball-Reference — Jonathan Bender Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Indiana Pacers — Bender Announces End Of Career
Indiana Pacers — Final Report Card: Jonathan Bender