Bender was selected per Toronto Raptors in the 1999 NBA draft with the fifth pick, straight away from Picayune Memorial High School in Picayune, Mississippi. He was so traded to the Indiana Pacers for veteran send on Antonio Davis. Bender was hyped for his size, strenuosity & 100% in the area of skill. For several, Bender has proved unsatisfying, never averaging double digits around scoring & suffering from either many injuries.

He occurs as first cousin of todays Bird of prey guard, Morris Peterson.