Bender, O'Bannon are Initial Pitino Hoop Signees
April 20, 2001 | Men's Basketball
April 20, 2001
Press Conference Audio:
Rick Pitino
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Brandon Bender, a 6-9, 245-pound all-state forward/center from Ballard High School in Louisville, and Larry O'Bannon, a 6-5, 195-pound all-state forward from Male High School in Louisville, have each signed a national letter-of-intent to continue their basketball playing careers at the University of Louisville. They are the first two signees for U of L Coach Rick Pitino, who became the Cards' head coach on March 21.
Bender averaged 18.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 blocked shots as a senior, leading Ballard to a 32-2 record and a ranking as high as fourth nationally this year. He shot 56 percent from the field.
O'Bannon averaged 21.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a senior, leading Male to a 32-4 record and a runner-up spot in the state championship this year. He shot 58 percent from the field and 85 percent at the free throw line.
"Brandon has the potential to be a very effective college basketball player," said Pitino. "It will take a lot of dedication and hard work on his part to reach his goals. I feel confident that he is up for the task."
"Larry has all the qualities on the court, in the classroom and off the court that I want in a Louisville Cardinal." said Pitino. "He fits our style of play like a glove and will be a tremendous asset for the next four years."
Brandon Bender
Bender's 1,860 career points is second all-time at Ballard to current New York Knicks guard Allan Houston. He is the all-time rebounding (1,178 career rebounds) and blocked shots (260) leader at Ballard.
The Gatorade Player of the Year in Kentucky, Bender is ranked among the nation's top 50 prospects by most recruiting services. He is ranked 22nd nationally by the Hoop Scoop and 35th by both ESPN and The Sporting News. A three-time first-team all-state selection, he was honored on the all-tournament teams of four events this year, including being named MVP of the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
"Brandon is an extremely unselfish basketball player," said Ballard High School Coach Chris Renner, whose team finished the season ranked No. 16 in the nation. "He can dominate on both ends of the floor. He's a very skilled big man with loads of potential."
Bender averaged 15.1 points and 9.8 rebounds in earning second-team all-state honors as a sophomore in helping Ballard win the 1999 Kentucky State Championship with a 31-7 record. As a junior, he produced 14.2 points and 10.1 rebounds a game as Ballard finished with a 27-4 mark.
Bender joins an impressive list of Ballard products who have played for the Cardinals, including such former U of L stars as DeJuan Wheat, Jerry Eaves and current forward Mac Wilkinson, a sophomore on the U of L squad and a former high school teammate of Bender.
Bender narrowed his collegiate choices to Alabama, Charlotte, UAB and West Virginia before signing with the Cardinals.
Larry O'Bannon
O'Bannon, who was listed among the top 25 unsigned seniors by The Sporting News, is eighth on Male's all-time scoring list with nearly 1,900 career points. Former U of L All-America Darrell Griffith is Male's career scoring leader.
O'Bannon averaged 18 points and 6.8 rebounds in earning all-state honors as a junior in helping Male produce a 28-7 record and reach the second round of the Sweet 16 state championship. He was the top vote-getter on The Courier-Journal's all-state team as a senior. He was honored on the all state tournament team the past two years and was the MVP of the Arby's Classic in Bristol, Tenn. this year.
"Larry is a great young man on and off the court," said Male High School Coach Bryce Hibbard. "He's very versatile and gets to the basket well. His all-around leadership was instrumental in our success."
He scored 13 points in the Kentucky Derby Festival Classic on April 6. He was ranked among the top 50 small forwards in the nation (#47 by Insiders Report).
O'Bannon also considered Colorado, Dayton, Alabama and UAB before signing with the Cardinals.
O'Bannon and Bender bring to the number of newcomers to ink with U of L this season to five, joining a trio who signed with the Cardinals in November: 6-6 guard/forward Dennis Coutee of Jeffersonville (Ind.) High School, 6-4 guard Leroy Davis from Southern Union Community College in Wadley, Ala., and 6-2 guard Carlos Hurt of Moore High School in Louisville.
