It looked like Bigfoot had just come through and kicked down the stores. I got to my subdivision in Kenner, Louisiana, and it was like being on a set in a Western movie. Roofs were gone, the streets were deserted. It was completely devastating.
this’,” Jonathan said. On December 18, 2009 with his #9 jersey, Jonathan appeared in his first NBA game in over 1,500 days. In this game against the Los Angeles Clippers, he scored 9 points in 14 minutes helping the Knicks win 95-91. In his total 24 game appearances with the Knicks during the 2009-2010 season, Jonathan averaged 2.1 rebounds, 11.8 minutes, and 4.8 points for a season total 114. Jonathan considers his return to professional basketball “a dream come true.” and in making a comeback, he believes he has accomplished a great feat. “I reached my goal just getting back on the court,” he said. And with Jonathan’s push and drive, accomplishing this goal was a reality. Jonathan gets much of his drive from his mother. Willie Mae Bender raised all of her children alone once Jonathan’s father died. She worked at Wal-Mart at night and attended college during the day, earning her Bachelor’s Degree at age 44 in community health education. Even though college was right for her, she raised her children to know that they had choices, and to make the right ones. Jonathan’s grandmother remembered the time he made the right choice to turn his back away from one of his childhood friends who began using drugs. Jonathan rose up from a town of 10,633, from a place indigenous to pessimistic thinking and outcomes, from an area that values partying and underachievement, from vices that keep so many from making it. In spite of the town’s culture, Jonathan has maintained his focus, positive attitude, honed in on his natural skills and abilities, and got out Picayune, never losing his mannerisms of respect as he adds “ma’am” and “sir” to his yes’s and no’s. As a businessman, Jonathan physically fixed up the dwellings in his hometown, but hopes it will extend to a mental fix up where more residents will avoid a downhill lifestyle stay focused, do something positive with their lives, and pay it forward to others, just as he has done. Exceptional ballers have graced the NBA court, and Jonathan is a prime example that one can be a great basketball player and still stay on top. His talent took him to the NBA, but his character has kept him there and has opened up other doors of opportunity. Jonathan seems to accomplish anything he puts his mind to, and as time elapses, he hopes to continue building his empire and whether he is playing pro, or coaching, he enjoys being involved with hoops in some facet. Jonathan proves it’s not how life handles one, but rather how one handles life that counts. And it’s obvious that this good hearted country boy from Mississippi counts his blessings, but can’t count the number of times he’s been a blessing to others. And when one can do this, one has truly paid it forward. “Yes ma’am,” Jonathan concurred. - MSM Mississippi Sports Magazine - 25