The name Anthony Bennet has, unfortunately, become synonymous with NBA Draft bust. But apparently not synonymous enough to get spelled correctly.
Anthony Bennett played his last NBA game during the 2016-17 season with the Brooklyn Nets. He is gone, but not forgotten, from the NBA landscape. Bennett was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the No. 1 pick in the 2013 Draft. After his rookie season, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the deal that brought Kevin Love to the Cavs.
Bennett eventually played for four teams in four seasons, never reaching a double-digit scoring average or appearing in more than 57 games. He’s become one of the most notorious NBA Draft busts in history. But infamy just means everyone remembers you generally, it doesn’t mean they remember all the little details. Like, you know, how to spell your name.
On Thursday, Bennett reached a deal with Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. for the upcoming Israeli season. And his new team left off the last letter of his name in the press release announcing his signing.
Anthony Bennett is still playing professional basketball?
This is a last chance for Bennett and an unexpected one at that. His last professional experience came during 2018-19 season when he played 25 games with the Agua Caliente Clippers of the G League. Bennett also appeared in 17 games for Turkish club Fenerbahce Ulker in the 2016-17 season. Other than that, this will be his first international experience.
Hapoel Jerusalem is one of the more successful Israeli clubs, having won several championships over the past decade. Former NBA players William Avery, Roger Mason Jr., Shelvin Mack and Amare Stoudemire have all spent time with the team in the past. Bennett will also be joined by former NBA players Thon Maker and Sean Kilpatrick on this year’s roster. Here’s hoping he can make an impact and keep his basketball career alive.