All summer long, NBA Game Time's celebrating the global reach of the game we love. Over the course of 90 days - leading up to the 2014 Global Games in October - get to know more about the international faces of the NBA. Day 12 brings…
Anthony Bennett (F, Cleveland Cavaliers), Canada
Height: 2.03 m, 6-foot-8 | Weight: 110 kg, 243 pounds | Born: 14 March, 1993
Question marks surrounded the first No. 1 NBA draft pick from Canada the moment the Cavaliers selected him. After his rookie season in 2013-14, they still do.
Though Bennett looked like a lock to go somewhere high in the 2013 Lottery, his top overall selection -- in a year that featured Nerlens Noel, Victor Oladipo, Michael Carter-Williams and others -- sent shockwaves through the NBA. What did the Cavs see from the big, quick University of Las Vegas freshman that made him shoot to the top of their list?
The answer's a work in progress.
Many factors contributed to a slow start for Bennett: a shoulder injury that sidelined him before the season even began and kept him from getting into basketball shape, a lack of minutes (which may have brought about a reported lack of confidence. Bennett struggled with consistency and in his first 32 games of the season, he averaged 2.4 points and 2.3 rebounds. However, he turned things around in his next nine games, raising his output to 8.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
This offseason, Bennett has made several changes to his game, which began by getting fit and shedding 20 pounds. His new fitness level and confidence have translated into better numbers during the Las Vegas Summer League, where Bennett's played a key role on the Cavaliers, averaging 13.3 points and 7.8 rebounds through four games.
Perhaps he's putting up these numbers in Las Vegas because it's his backyard, where he went to high school and college, or perhaps it's because Bennett is out to prove the doubters that he was the number one pick for a reason.
Achievements/Awards:
- NCAA Freshman of the Year Finalist (2013)
- Mountain West Freshman of the Year (2013)
- All-Mountain West First Team (2013)
- McDonald's All-American (2012)
Key Stats:
2013-14 Season: GP: 52 | MPG: 12.8 | PTS: 4.2 | REB: 3.0
Season Highlight: Bennett scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 30 minutes against the Sacramento Kings on 11 February, 2014.
5 Things To Know
1. Bennett became the first Canadian to be selected first overall in the NBA Draft. The second was Andrew Wiggins a year later.
2. He led Canada's U16 and U17 teams to bronze medal in 2009 and 2010 FIBA World Championships.
3. His mother is from Jamaica. She was a single parent who raised 3 kids.
4. He watches the show Breaking Bad.
5. He led Findlay Prep in Nevada to a 32-1 record in his senior year in 2012.
Check out Bennett's photos and video in the LEAGUE section of NBA Game Time.
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