University of Maryland Athletics

BENDER IN THE NEWS
• (3/9/19) Bender makes senior night memorable by proposing to longtime girlfriend

AS A SENIOR (2018-19): Appeared in 24 games (1 start) as a reserve forward ... Totaled seven points, six assists and 19 rebounds ... Memorably proposed to longtime girlfriend, Andrea, during the pregame “Senior Day” ceremony at midcourt prior to the game against Minnesota (3/8). The proposal went viral on social media ... Posted a season- best six rebounds in 13 minutes of action at Rutgers ... Made lone start of the season against Hofstra.

AS A JUNIOR (2017-18): Played in 15 games while making seven starts before missing the remainder of the season due to a torn meniscus…Posted season-high 12 points vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (12/21)…Recorded career-high seven assists vs. Gardner-Webb (12/9)…Notched eight points and an assist and a rebound vs. St. Bonaventure (11/24)…Scored five points and grabbed six boards in start vs. Jackson State (11/20)…Started season opener vs. Stony Brook, recording four points and four rebounds (11/10).

AS A SOPHOMORE (2016-17): Saw action in 32 games, earning five starts...Averaged 4.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game...Tallied eight points vs. Xavier in NCAA First Round (3/16)...Shot at a .663 clip from the floor...Posted 10 points and three assists at Rutgers (2/28)...Recorded a career-high 15 points and added five rebounds vs. Minnesota (2/22)...Posted eight points at Minnesota (1/28)...Notched a career-high eight rebounds at Iowa (1/19)...Scored seven points and added five rebounds in a start vs. Illinois (12/27)...Recorded 10 points and four rebounds vs. Charlotte (12/20)...Posted 10 points vs. Jacksonville State (12/12)...Recorded eight points in third consecutive start vs. Kansas State (11/26)...Notched seven points and four rebounds in second career start vs. Richmond (11/25)...Posted six points, and a career-high seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks vs. St. Mary's (MD) (11/17)...Scored a career-high nine points and matched a career-high six rebounds at Georgetown (11/15).

AS A FRESHMAN (2015-16): Appeared in 10 games…Notched four points and four rebounds vs. Ohio State (1/16)…Scored four points against Rutgers (1/6)…Posted three points against UMES (12/12)…Scored five points and added team-high six rebounds in four minutes of work against Saint Francis (12/4).

BEFORE MARYLAND: Played with KK Split in the Junior Euroleague...Was also a member of the U-18 Croatian National Team and is slated to participate in the U-20 Croatian National Team next summer...Attended Elektrotehnicka Skola in Split, Croatia....Parents names are Rafo and Bernada Bender...Has one brother, Dragan who was drafted fourth overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2016 NBA Draft...Enjoys playing table tennis in his spare time...Has lost nearly 25 pounds since his freshman season working extensively with Director of Sports Performance Kyle Tarp…Graduated with a degree in Communication...Currently pursuing a Master's degree in Professional Studies - Public Administration.