Jonathan Bender was raised in Picayune, Mississippi and as a senior in high school, the Forward averaged 23.1 points, 15 rebounds, five blocked shots and four assists. He scored a record 31 points at the 1999 McDonald’s High School All-America Game, breaking the previous mark of 30 points set by Michael Jordan in 1981.  At Magic Johnson’s Roundball Classic, Bender scored 11 points along with seven rebounds and three blocked shots in 24 minutes.  Bender was also a first round draft pick in the 1999 NBA Draft when he was only 17 years old, and was fifth pick overall.

Despite a very promising career in the NBA, Bender was forced to announce his retirement in Spring 2006 due to a worsening knee injury.  However, this hardworking, driven young man has not missed a beat and has been channeling his stunning work ethic into other endeavors.  Bender has invested in several high-end real estate properties, including commercial and resort/vacation properties; has formed NexNow Productions, which develops, acquires, and produces television and film projects; has built a state-of-the-art recording studio in the New Orleans area; and has recently established a non-profit organization, The Jonathan Bender Foundation, which strives to empower children in his community by providing them with the tools to obtain life skills that address their educational, health and social needs.

Bender also is helping to improve the housing situation for low income families in New Orleans.  He has bought several properties, including apartment buildings, single family homes, and triplexes and has been renovating the properties to rent or sell to low-income families and families living on Section 8.  He also purchased 8 acres in East New Orleans and has hired an architect to draw up plans for a development with town homes, apartments, and a community center in the middle of the property that will provide literary programs, after-school programs for children, computer classes, and classes for parents wanting to get off of Section 8.

In addition, Bender has plans brewing to manufacture an energy tea drink called “Mardi Gras Tea” to distribute in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.  He is also working with a boxer in Houston, Guadalupe Martinez, who is 14 and 1.  Bender has always been interested in the sport of boxing and has hired a promoter to book Martinez in more fights this year.  He hopes to be working with other boxers in the near future.

Bender’s hobbies outside of basketball and his business ventures include working with stereo and recording equipment, playing golf and pool, and working out at the gym.  His favorite actors are Martin Lawrence and Chris Tucker, and his favorite book is the Bible.  He spends his time between his homes in New Orleans, Houston, and Indianapolis.