NEW YORK — The Knicks signed free agent Jonathan Bender on Sunday, marking the oft-injured forward’s return to the NBA after a three-year absence.
The 7-foot Bender enjoyed his best season in 2001-02, when he averaged career highs of 7.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 78 games. But injuries forced Bender to miss 172 games over the next three seasons before chronic knee pain sidelined him indefinitely in February 2006.
Bender was selected out of high school by Toronto with the fifth pick in the 1999 draft and was acquired by Indiana in a trade on Aug. 1, 1999.
“Jonathan has worked extremely hard in preparing himself for a return to the NBA,” said Knicks president Donnie Walsh. “I know him to be a young man of the highest character from my relationship with him that dates back 10 years to his rookie year and I think he will be a fine addition to our team both on and off the court.”
Footnotes.
Coach Kiki Vandeweghe said the Nets are awaiting results of an MRI that Chris Douglas-Roberts had on his left knee. Vandeweghe wasn’t sure how Douglas-Roberts, who scored seven points in 38 minutes of a 107-91 loss Friday at Indiana, was injured.
• Quentin Richardson missed the Heat’s game against the Grizzlies because of a sore right hamstring.
