Anthony Bennett (basketball)

Anthony Harris Bennett (born March 14, 1993) is a Canadian professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He was the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the first Canadian to be drafted number one overall.[1] Bennett is also a member of the Canadian national team.

Anthony Bennett
Bennett in 2013
Free agent
PositionPower forward
Personal information
Born (1993-03-14) March 14, 1993
Toronto, Ontario
NationalityCanadian
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeUNLV (2012–2013)
NBA draft2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Playing career2013–present
Career history
2013–2014Cleveland Cavaliers
2014–2015Minnesota Timberwolves
2015–2016Toronto Raptors
2015–2016Raptors 905
2016–2017Brooklyn Nets
2016Long Island Nets
2017Fenerbahçe
2017Northern Arizona Suns
2017–2018Maine Red Claws
2018–2019Agua Caliente Clippers
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

He is considered by many basketball fans and analysts to be one of the worst draft busts in NBA history.[2][3]

Early life

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Bennett was raised in the city's Jane and Finch neighbourhood, and in nearby Brampton, where he moved to at age ten.[4][5] He is the son of Edith Bennett, a nurse who is originally from Jamaica, and Delroy Harris. He also has an older sister, Danielle, and an older brother, Sheldon. Edith raised her family as a single mother, working two jobs, at a hospital and a mental health facility.[6][7][8] As a teenager in Jamaica, his mother ran track and field and played netball.[8]

High school career

Bennett attended Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School in Brampton. At age 16, he relocated to Beckley, West Virginia to play basketball for Mountain State Academy,[7] and after the school closed a year later, he moved to Henderson, Nevada to play for the basketball preparatory academy Findlay Prep.[5] He was the #1 forward and the #7 player overall in the high school class of 2012 according to ESPNU 100,[9] the #7 player by Scout.com,[10] and the #7 player by Rivals.com.[11]

While initially receiving interest from many teams, Bennett narrowed down his college choices to Oregon and UNLV. He committed to UNLV under head coach Dave Rice on May 12, 2012.

College career

During the 2012–13 UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball season, Bennett played 35 games. While mostly starting at power forward, he would occasionally play small forward. He averaged 16.1 points and 8.1 rebounds a game despite only averaging 27.1 minutes a game due to injury. He shot 53.3% from the field overall and 37.5% from three-point range. He was extremely efficient in college, averaging a PER of 28.3.[12] Halfway through the season, Bennett was plagued with a shoulder injury.[13] His minutes were cut to allow him to rest and he even came off the bench in a few games. After making it to the NCAA tournament, UNLV lost in the second round to California.

In April 2013, Bennett declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final three years of college eligibility.[14] In May 2013, he underwent elective surgery for sleep apnea and asthma.[13]

Professional career

2013 NBA draft

Bennett was one of thirteen players invited to the green room for the 2013 NBA draft, meaning he was expected to be chosen as a top lottery pick. He was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the first Canadian ever.[15] The choice was met with skepticism by analysts. He drew comparisons to Larry Johnson, a former UNLV great, NBA All-Star, and number one overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft.[16]

Cleveland Cavaliers (2013–2014)

On August 20, 2013, Bennett signed his rookie scale contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.[17] After producing multiple mediocre performances to begin his rookie season, he was ranked by some as one of the worst first overall picks in recent memory.[18]

Bennett taking a free throw for the Cavaliers in October 2013

On January 28, 2014, Bennett recorded 15 points and 8 rebounds in a 100–89 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.[19] It was the first double-figure scoring game in his NBA career, coming after 33 games—three times as long as any previous No. 1 overall pick. Almost two-thirds of all previous top picks scored in double digits in their first game.[20] On February 11, 2014, Bennett recorded his first career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in a 109–99 win over the Sacramento Kings.[21] For the 2013–2014 season, he played 52 games while averaging 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game.[22]

In July 2014, Bennett joined the Cavaliers for the 2014 NBA Summer League where he averaged 13.3 points in four games.[23]

Minnesota Timberwolves (2014–2015)

On August 23, 2014, a three-team trade was completed involving the Cavaliers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Philadelphia 76ers. As part of the deal, Bennett and teammate Andrew Wiggins were traded to the Timberwolves, along with Thaddeus Young, then of the 76ers. The Cavaliers received Kevin Love from Minnesota while the 76ers received Luc Mbah a Moute and Alexey Shved from Minnesota and a 2015 first-round draft pick from Cleveland.[24]

On October 19, 2014, the Timberwolves exercised their third-year team option on Bennett's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2015–16 season.[25] On November 21, 2014, he scored a career-high 20 points in a 121–92 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.[26] On February 21, 2015, he was ruled out for two weeks due to an injured right ankle he sustained the day before playing against the Phoenix Suns.[27] After recovering from the injury, Bennett appeared in just four more games to finish the 2014–2015 season. In 57 games (three starts) for the Timberwolves, he averaged career highs of 5.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 15.7 minutes per game.

On September 23, 2015, Bennett was waived by the Timberwolves via a contract buyout.[28]

Toronto Raptors (2015–2016)

On September 28, 2015, Bennett signed a one-year deal with his hometown Toronto Raptors.[29][30] He made his debut with them on October 30, recording three rebounds and one steal in a 113–103 win over the Boston Celtics.[31] On December 20, Bennett requested that the team send him to Raptors 905 of the NBA Development League.[32][33] He played for Raptors 905 in their game against the Delaware 87ers, recording 13 points and 4 rebounds in a 105–94 win, becoming the NBA's first No. 1 overall pick to play in the D-League.[34] He returned to Toronto later that night for their game against the Sacramento Kings.[35] He later received three more assignments to Raptors 905.[36] On March 1, 2016, he was waived by the Raptors.[37] Bennett's love for the game was questioned during his tenure in Toronto, and the organization grew increasingly frustrated with his inability to grasp the cut-throat world of the NBA despite their attempts to work with him.[38]

Brooklyn Nets (2016–2017)

On July 14, 2016, Bennett signed with the Brooklyn Nets.[39] He made his debut for the Nets in their third game of the season on October 29, scoring nine points in 18 minutes off the bench in a 110–108 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.[40] On November 18, he scored a season-high 12 points in a 124–105 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.[41] On November 27, he was assigned to Brooklyn's D-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.[42] He was recalled by Brooklyn prior to their game later that night.[43] He was reassigned to Long Island on November 28,[44] and was recalled the next day.[45] On December 3, he made his first start of the season and had 7 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in a 112–103 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.[46] On January 9, 2017, he was waived by the Nets.[47]

Fenerbahçe (2017)

On January 13, 2017, Bennett signed with Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Basketball Super League.[48][49] He signed with Fenerbahçe on a 1+1 contract.[50] In 10 EuroLeague games he averaged 1.2 points per game.[51] Fenerbahçe went on to win their first ever EuroLeague title in 2017, beating out Olympiacos 80–64 in the championship game. On May 25, 2017, he was released by Fenerbahçe.[52]

G League (2017–2019)

On September 22, 2017, Bennett signed with the Phoenix Suns.[53] On October 11, 2017, he was waived by the Suns.[54] Later that month, he joined the Northern Arizona Suns of the NBA G League.[55] On November 19, 2017, he temporarily left the team to join the Canadian national team for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification.[56] He rejoined Northern Arizona on November 29.[57] On December 28, 2017, he was traded to the Maine Red Claws alongside a third round pick for the player rights of Wesley Saunders and a second round pick.[58] In October 2018, Bennett was traded to the Agua Caliente Clippers in exchange for former Warrior James Michael McAdoo and a third-round draft pick.[59]

On July 12, 2019, Bennett signed a one-year deal with the Houston Rockets. He was waived during training camp.

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
Denotes season in which Bennett's team won the EuroLeague
Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Cleveland 52012.8.356.245.6383.0.3.4.24.2
2014–15 Minnesota 57315.7.421.304.6413.8.8.5.35.2
2015–16 Toronto 1904.4.296.214.9001.2.0.3.01.5
2016–17 Brooklyn 23111.5.413.271.7223.4.5.2.15.0
Career 151412.6.392.261.6703.1.5.4.24.4

NBA G-League

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 Raptors 6417.9.339.250.7863.2.71.0.79.2
2016–17 Long Island 2235.2.500.462.5008.03.52.01.018.0
2017–18 Northern Arizona 141320.8.552.442.7565.61.8.6.611.9
2017–18 Maine 211930.9.440.418.7957.71.81.3.616.0
2018–19 A.C. Clippers 25720.9.537.449.8314.61.3.9.412.2
Career 684524.0.482.422.7905.61.51.0.613.2

EuroLeague

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2016–17† Fenerbahçe 1046.3.263.182.000.9.2.3.11.2.6
Career 1046.3.263.182.000.9.2.3.11.2.6

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2012–13 UNLV 353227.1.533.375.7018.11.0.71.216.1

National team career

Bennett participated in the 2009 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship and 2010 FIBA Under-17 World Championship, helping Canada win a bronze medal in each tournament.[8] In the 2010 tournament, he was a teammate of Andrew Wiggins, the number one overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft and his former teammate on the Timberwolves.[60]

In July 2015, Bennett was named to the Canadian national team roster for the 2015 Pan American Games.[61] Playing in his hometown of Toronto, Bennett helped Canada win the silver medal with four victories, including an upset win over the United States in the semi-final, before losing in the final to Brazil. Bennett averaged 15.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game in the tournament.[62]

See also

References

  1. Greenberg, Chris (June 27, 2013). "Anthony Bennett Goes No. 1 In 2013 NBA Draft To Cleveland Cavaliers". HuffingtonPost.com. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  2. "Who's the biggest bust in NBA Draft history: Greg Oden or Anthony Bennett?".
  3. Miller, Kerry. "The 10 Biggest NBA Draft Busts Since 2000".
  4. Smith, Doug (June 28, 2013). "Anthony Bennett: Canadian star's character helped get him drafted No. 1". TheStar.com. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  5. "Canadian Anthony Bennett welcomed by Cavaliers". CBC.ca. June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  6. "Anthony Bennett Bio". unlvrebels.com. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  7. Sherman, Mitch (March 27, 2012). "Anthony Bennett owes a lot to mom". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  8. "NBA Draft 2013: Anthony Bennett leads the Canadian invasion". SBNation.com. June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  9. "2012 ESPN Basketball Rankings". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  10. "SCOUT.COM COLLEGE BASKETBALL TEAM RECRUITING PROSPECTS". Scout.com. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  11. "Ranking Index". Yahoo.com. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  12. "Anthony Bennett Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  13. "Cavaliers' Anthony Bennett has surgery to improve sleep condition". NBCSports.com. May 13, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  14. "UNLV's Anthony Bennett Officially Declares for the 2013 NBA Draft". BleacherReport.com. April 2, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  15. "Cleveland Cavaliers take Anthony Bennett with No. 1 overall pick in 2013 NBA draft". Yahoo.com. June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  16. "Anthony Bennett hoping to make history at NBA draft". WashingtonPost.com. June 27, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  17. "Cavaliers Sign 2013 Draft Picks to Contracts". NBA.com. August 20, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  18. "Ford: Anthony Bennett Looking Like Worst No. 1 Overall Pick In 20 Years". RealGM.com. December 22, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  19. "Notebook: Pelicans 100, Cavaliers 89". NBA.com. January 28, 2014. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  20. Feldman, Dan (January 29, 2014). "Anthony Bennett took a really long time to score double-digits". NBCSports.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  21. "Notebook: Cavaliers 109, Kings 99". NBA.com. February 11, 2014. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  22. "Anthony Bennett NBA Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  23. "2014 Summer League Player Profile – Anthony Bennett". NBA.com. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  24. "Timberwolves Acquire Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young in Three-Team Trade". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. August 23, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
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  27. "Shabazz Muhammad out for season". ESPN.com. February 21, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
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  31. "Raptors roll over Celtics 113-103". NBA.com. October 30, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  32. "Bennett Assigned to Raptors 905 for Sunday Matinee Contest". NBA.com. December 20, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  33. Dwyer, Kelly (December 20, 2015). "Anthony Bennett, former top overall pick, asks to go to the D-League". Yahoo.com. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  34. "Raptors 905 Knock Off Delaware 87ers". NBA.com. December 20, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  35. "Rondo, Gay lead Kings over Raptors 104-94". NBA.com. December 20, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  36. "2015-16 NBA Assignments". NBA.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  37. "Raptors Sign Free-Agent Forward Jason Thompson". NBA.com. March 1, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  38. Smith, Doug (February 29, 2016). "Raptors waive Anthony Bennett, sign Jason Thompson". TheStar.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
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  40. "Nets vs. Bucks – Box Score". ESPN.com. October 29, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
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  43. "Anthony Bennett and Chris McCullough Recalled By Brooklyn Nets". NBA.com. November 27, 2016. Archived from the original on December 3, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
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  46. "Bucks win fourth straight with 112-103 victory over Brooklyn". ESPN.com. December 3, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  47. "Brooklyn Nets Waive Anthony Bennett". NBA.com. January 9, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
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  49. "Fenerbahce signs Anthony Bennett". Sportando.com. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  50. "2013 NBA Draftı'nın 1 numarası Anthony Bennett Fenerbahçe'de". EuroSport.com (in Turkish). January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  51. "BENNETT, ANTHONY - Welcome to EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL". www.euroleague.net. Retrieved 2018-01-27.
  52. "Anthony Bennett returns to the States". Eurohoops.net. May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  53. "Suns Sign Anthony Bennett and Peter Jok". NBA.com. September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  54. "Phoenix Suns Waive Anthony Bennett, Peter Jok". NBA.com. October 11, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  55. "Get familiar with the NAZ Suns Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 25, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  56. "NAZ Suns Acquire Damonte Dodd". NBA.com. November 19, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  57. "Anthony Bennett Returns to NAZ Suns From FIBA Qualifiers". NBA.com. November 29, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  58. "Red Claws Trade For Anthony Bennett". NBA.com. December 28, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  59. "Former No. 1 Pick Anthony Bennett Hoping to Thrive With Clippers G-League Affiliate".
  60. "Andrew Wiggins | Canada Basketball". Basketball.ca. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  61. "CANADIAN MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR TORONTO 2015 PAN AM GAMES". Basketball.ca. July 18, 2015. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  62. Ratke, Kyle (July 27, 2015). "How Did Anthony Bennett Do At The Pan Am Games". NBA.com. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
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