Q. When did you realize that basketball could become your thing?

A. When I was 12. I was playing at Niko’s academy [the former European player Nikola Vujcic, who is now an executive for Maccabi Tel Aviv]. I was 187 centimeters already [about 6-2] and I realized I could make something of it. I was actually playing the 1 and the 2 guard then; I was outside a lot.

That’s the kind of basketball I used to play, and I love it. It is pure basketball, and I think it’s amazing when a top player can do these things — shoot, lead a break or be able to assist a player.

Q. So you like shooting from long range?

A. I like to give an amazing assist. I grew up watching tapes of Toni Kukoc and all these interviews with him. In one interview, he said a basket makes one person happy but an assist makes two people happy. I liked that.

Bender is not expected to be part of the Croatian national team at the Rio Olympics, and despite his generally low-key demeanor, he became more animated when discussing his relationship with the national federation. Last summer, Bender — who has an endorsement deal with Adidas — was supposed to have played for Croatia in the FIBA Under-19 World Championship, only to leave the team early after a dispute over the brand of shoe he was wearing.

Q. What is the story behind you not playing in the under-19 tournament?

A. It was with the national team. I couldn’t play for the national team because I have contract with Adidas, and they have a contract with Jordan brand. Before the tourney, we spoke and they said everything is cool and you can play with Adidas shoes, and then in first morning of the tournament in Crete, the national team suddenly said, “No, you cannot play with Adidas shoes; you need to play with Jordan shoes.”

Q. So you went home?

A: The year before I had a contract with Adidas and I played with Jordan shoes, and I said, “O.K., this is the first year Croatia’s contract with Jordans, and I am not going to be the guy who is going to ruin that,” and after that I had problems with Adidas. But I dealt with it.