Maryland men’s head basketball coach Mark Turgeon announced today that forward Ivan Bender (pronounced EVEN) will join the Maryland basketball program and will be eligible to play immediately.
Bender (6-9, 230) played with KK Split in the Junior Euroleague. He 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.
“We are excited to have Ivan join our program,” said Turgeon. “He is terrific young man who will be a great addition to our team.”
Bender,19, hails from Caplijina, Bosnia and Herzegovina and attended Elektrotehnicka Skola in Split, Croatia. He will wear jersey number 13.
Jim Orban
Bruce, have you seen this guy? Why is Mark going to use up a year of eligibility rather than red shirt him? How easy is it going to be to learn our offenses and defenses and get any playing time? I thought it was a big mistake when Jin Soo Kim, who had loads of potential, came in and Gary didn’t redshirt him. We know what happened. What are your thoughts? Thanks! Jim
· 11/12/2019