Columbia University All-America 1930 and 1932, and All Ivy League 1930, 1931 and 1932. Lou Bender was the Ivy League's top scorer in 1930 and 1931, and one of, if not the most, celebrated major college stars of his era. He led his Columbia Lions to League championships in 1930 and 1931.

Bender played professionally 1934-41––with the Boston Celtics (1934-35), Union City Reds (1936-37), Boston Trojans (1938-40) and New York Whirlwinds (1941).

Many sport historians credit the high-scoring Bender with helping popularize the game of basketball during its development years.