2016 NBA Draft: Best big men

Mar 21, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) dunks the basketball against Georgetown Hoyas forward Paul White (13) during the second half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dragan Bender, a professional Croatian basketball player currently playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League poses for a photo after a training session at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2016. Bender’s name is not yet well known beyond hardcore basketball fans, but that may soon change. Bender is expected to be highly sought after by US professional basketball teams in the coming months. / AFP / JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images) /

2. Dragan Bender, PF/C, Croatia

Dragan Bender has all the makings of everything you could possibly ask for in a modern NBA big. He’s got the size, 7-1, 225 pounds with a 7-2 wingspan and a 9-3 standing reach. He’s very fluid in his movements. In fact, he moves as well as most wings do. He’s shown shooting range out to the NBA three-point line. His reach and lateral quickness make him a good rim protector, and he’s also got the ability to switch everything and defender smaller wings.

Bender won’t turn 19 until November, making him one of the youngest players in the 2016 draft, but he’s already played two seasons of professional basketball in Israel.

Bender will need to strengthen his body in order to hold his own against some of the grown men in the NBA, but that’s to be expected for someone as young as he is. There’s every reason to think he can grow into his body.

He has already drawn comparisons to Kristaps Porzingis, but his Euroleague statistical profile isn’t quite as impressive. There’s really a lot to like about Bender’s game, but it will take some time and development for him to make an impact in the NBA.

To read more about Dragan Bender, click here.

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