Will Wade refused to be left out of the recruiting parade taking place in Baton Rouge right now. Early this morning, Wade and his staff secured a commitment from 2026 prospect Jordan Bender.
Bender is a 6’8″ southpaw forward from Kentucky. While he is currently unranked by the major recruiting services, he comes from basketball bloodlines as the son of former Louisville forward Brandon Bender. He played his high school basketball for Marsee Speights at North Christian School in Florida.
Given the current uncertainty surrounding the roster and several players seeking eligibility, adding a young, up-and-coming prospect for the upcoming season makes a lot of sense. Wade continues to add length and versatility to the roster with a player capable of defending positions one through four.
Bender is a high-upside prospect who will still require some development, but he has the potential to become a key contributor down the road. If he can meet the physical demands of the SEC, he could see playing time early by showcasing his defensive versatility and rebounding ability.
Football is on a roll, baseball is dominating, and now Wade and the basketball program want in on the action as well.