5 Things You Didn't Know About No. 1 Pick Anthony Bennett

Since the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett first overall this summer, the NBA universe has learned a lot about the Canadian baller from UNLV. 

The five things you didn't know about Bennett, though, include the impact a current teammate once had on his decision to attend Findlay Prep.

They also include details on the under-17 Canadian national team Bennett starred on back in 2010, along with a list he once kept before it became too long. 

Heading into the 2013-14 campaign, Bennett's unique blend of power and athleticism projects to make him an especially intriguing rookie to watch.

Beyond assuming a significant role in the Cavs' rebuild alongside Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson, Bennett is also a compelling talent who NBA fans will want follow both on and off the court. 

No. 5: Cavs Teammate Tristan Thompson Impacted Bennett's High School Decision

At the age of 16, after attending Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario, Anthony Bennett moved to Beckley, West Virginia to attend Mountain State Academy. During the summer prior to his junior season, however, Mountain State closed and Bennett was in need of a place to finish his high school career.

He'd eventually choose Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, a decision that Bennett attributes in part to fellow Canadian and Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Tristan Thompson. 

In a YouTube series chronicling Findlay Prep's season back in 2011, Bennett discussed Thompson's impact on his decision to play for Findlay.

"In the second game of the NHSI, Cory Joseph dropped 32 on us," Bennett recalled of his time playing against Findlay. "And in the first game Tristan [Thompson] went for 20 and 10. So I thought practice must be tough because they're doing all this stuff, and skill-wise, they're good. In the past, Findlay Prep took Canada players. They developed them, they were getting better, and us Canadians back home we were seeing it."

Bennett went on to average 16.3 points and 10.1 rebounds in 23.7 minutes per game as a senior at Findlay during the 2011-12 campaign. He helped the Pilots to a 32-1 record while earning McDonald's All-American honors before attending UNLV.

No. 4: Andrew Wiggins Co-Starred with Bennett on Canada's Under-17 Team

During the FIBA Under-17 World Championship held in Hamburg, Germany back in 2010, Anthony Bennett and Kansas recruit Andrew Wiggins co-starred for Team Canada.

Bennett and Wiggins helped the Canadian National Team secure a bronze medal in the competition, finishing behind only the USA and Poland with a 5-3 record.

Over the eight-game tournament, Bennett averaged 13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds. The younger Wiggins averaged 8.1 points and 3.2 assists while Gonzaga's Kevin Pangos led the team is scoring at 15.8 per game to go along with five rebounds.

Team USA, who finished first overall, featured Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, Charlotte Bobcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond. 

The American team got the best of Bennett's Canadian squad by a score of 103-83 in their only matchup.

No. 3: Anthony Bennett's Favorite Restaurant Is Chipotle

I attended a press conference held at UNLV this past July where Anthony Bennett spoke on his upcoming journey to Cleveland. 

Among a number of basketball-related questions, Bennett was also asked if he'd miss the popular West Coast fast food restaurant In-N-Out Burger when he moved to join the Cavaliers. 

Bennett replied by telling reporters that he wasn't concerned about Cleveland not having an In-N-Out Burger because he's more of a Chipotle guy anyway.

Since then, Bennett added on Twitter that finding a Chipotle in his new city was No. 1 on his off-the-court to-do list before finding somewhere to live and buying a car.
 

"

Checklist for Cleveland : Find chipotle ✔ - find a spot to live ✔ now I just need my whip .. I'm doing good so far lol

— Anthony Bennett (@AnthonyBennett) July 25, 2013"

 
I don't know if Bennett is working on a sponsorship deal with Chipotle at the moment or not, but it certainly seems he deserves one. 

No. 2: Bennett Kept a List of Players He Dunked on Until It Became Too Long

During an interview with Dime Magazine just prior to the NBA draft, Anthony Bennett said that he used to keep a list of players he dunked on back in high school. 

Bennett added that he became bored with the list because he was dunking on too many people.

It's a good thing he stopped when he did, too, because that list would have only grew infinitely longer during his time at UNLV. 

As evidenced by this finish at California, Bennett's unique combination of power and athleticism left many dunk victims in his wake last season.

Far too many for anyone to keep track of, at least.

No. 1: Tristan Thompson Will Improve Bennett's Chances for Success in Cleveland

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Tristan Thompson fourth overall in the 2011 NBA draft. Two summers later, they acquired Anthony Bennett with the top pick.

Though there has been talk of playing Bennett at the small forward position in Cleveland, it's likely that he could log minutes at Thompson's power forward spot during his rookie season.

Despite the possibility of his playing time being adversely impacted, however, Thompson reached out to Bennett immediately to help his fellow Canadian make the transition into life in the NBA.

"That's my guy," Thompson said of Bennett to StepienRules.com back on July 16. "Last week I was showing him around Cleveland and it's great to have him as a teammate. I'm excited."

In Thompson, Bennett will have a veteran teammate to lean on for guidance, support and advice who has followed an extremely similar path to the league.

Thompson and Bennett both played for the Ontario-based CIA Bounce AAU program. They each attended Findlay Prep in high school, from there before becoming one-and-done college players selected in the top five of the draft. 

During his rookie season, Thompson entered the NBA as the highest drafted Canadian-born player in league history. Now, that honor belongs to Bennett, his Cavaliers teammate.