Let me offer a comparison. When Larry Bird was 18 years old he was putting up 30 points and 15 rebounds. He was a transcendent talent. Bender wanders around the perimeter, sometimes finds open shots, and basically never impacts an israeli league game. I honestly think that Bender isn't the best NBA prospect on the Macabbi team right now. 18 years old is not an excuse for being a bad basketball player.
Just for the record, when Larry Bird was 18 he was hauling garbage in French Lick, Indiana.
He turned 21 his "freshman" year at Indiana State, when he averaged 33 and 13.
If Bender had started college this past year, we'd have to wait until his senior year to get a relevant comp to Bird's freshman season, age-wise.
Not saying I know anything about how good Bender will be. Just that Bird's case is not apples-to-apples.