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The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday they have waived guard/forward Jonathan Bender. On Feb. 4, 2006, Bender announced that due to a medical condition in his knees, he would no longer be able to continue playing basketball.

Bender played six seasons with the Pacers, but was plagued by injuries. His best season was 2001-02 when he played 78 games, averaging 7.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. He played just two games in the 2005-06 season before chronic soreness in his left knee sidelined him. Bender was the Toronto Raptors’ first-round draft pick (fifth overall) in the 1999 NBA draft. The Pacers acquired him Aug. 8, 1999, from the Raptors in exchange for Antonio Davis.

InsideHoops.com Editor Says: The poor kid never got to really play in the league. Injuries ruined him from start to finish. Though, as for "poor," at least the kid got money, and if he was smart about it, he's financially set for life. But, as for basketball, it's too bad his career finished before it started.