Prospect Spotlight: Matthew Bender (2019)
It’s rare to find a 3-sport athlete in this day-and-age, but that is exactly what 6-foot-6 junior Mathew Bender is—and he even has time to shred some waves in the La Jolla and Del Mar areas. When he isn’t smacking the lip (surfing lingo for all you novices), Bender is a standout on the hardwood as well as in the pool.
“Yes, I play water polo and I like it, but my first love is basketball,” Bender noted.
Unfortunately during the playoffs last season, Bender was struck with some adversity. While attempting to block a shot, he landed awkwardly on his left knee and as a result it buckled.
Bender is one of those rare multi-sport athletes“I knew when I landed, it was something significant” explained, Bender.
And it was significant as he tore his meniscus.
The rehab has been rigorous (3X per week), but the hard work and dedication has been fruitful as Bender showed up at the West Coast Elite End of Summer event ready to exhibit his all-around talent.
Bender, who will be attending Francis Parker (San Diego), was one of the standouts from the beginning of the camp and it was his relentless motor that caught our eye. He used his chiseled frame to snag rebounds and convert a number of finishes through contact. He showed his nose for the ball and fundamentals (solid footwork) to maneuver in the paint area for timely put backs.
Although he was formidable in the paint area, he did show off improved ball skills and a soft shooting touch that extend to the elbow. “During the off season, I’ve been working on my perimeter skills, most notably my shot.”
Heading into his junior campaign, Bender has an open mind on where he would like to continue his basketball career. “I’m open to any school as long as it’s high academic and a good fit for me on the basketball court.”
In this day and age where kids focus solely on one sport, it is refreshing to know that there are still a number of them out there that are open to playing multiple sports and becoming a well-rounded athlete—and Bender falls under that category.