Maryland newcomer Ivan Bender met with a team doctor Tuesday and will not be medically cleared to practice for at least another month, Coach Mark Turgeon said.

The 6-foot-9 Bender, a native of Bosnia who just enrolled and joined the team last week, is still recovering from a torn ACL injury suffered while playing in Europe in 2013. Bender will continue to rehab with Maryland’s staff and will be re-evaluated next month.

There is no immediate plan to redshirt the 19-year-old forward, although the timetable of his ongoing recovery sheds doubt that he would be ready to contribute this season. Turgeon said Monday that the staff would bring him along slowly, and the hope is that Bender can improve his health and become a productive practice player.

Once back to full strength, Bender is expected to be an important piece of Maryland’s future. An intelligent player with a strong offensive post game, according to Turgeon, Bender has acquired a wealth of experience playing in Europe. He played for KK Split in the Junior Euroleague and attended school at Elektrotehnicka in Split, Croatia. He is also a member of the Croatian national team.

Bender will begin classes in College Park next Monday.