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Former Cleveland Cavaliers draft pick Anthony Bennett says he'll have 'last laugh'

By Alex Butler
Former No. 1 NBA Draft pick Anthony Bennett is now playing for Fenerbahce in the Turkish Basketball Super League. Photo courtesy of Fenerbahçe Basketbol/Twitter
Former No. 1 NBA Draft pick Anthony Bennett is now playing for Fenerbahce in the Turkish Basketball Super League. Photo courtesy of Fenerbahçe Basketbol/Twitter

May 22 (UPI) -- The No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft is now playing in Turkey, but Anthony Bennett says he'll have the "last laugh" on his career.

Bennett was part of a three-team trade in 2015 that sent Kevin Love to the Cavaliers and landed him with the Minnesota Timberwolves. That deal also sent Andrew Wiggins to the Timberwolves and a 2016 first round draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Timberwolves also gave Alexey Shved and Luc Mbah a Moute to the 76ers in exchange for Thaddeus Young. Bennett was waived a year later.

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He signed with the Toronto Raptors in 2015, but was designated back-and-forth from its D-League squad throughout the next season. The Raptors waived Bennett in 2016 and he signed with the Brooklyn Nets four months later. Bennett spent more time in the D-League throughout this season before being waived in January.

But he now suits up to ball in Istanbul.

He averaged 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 52 contests for the Cavaliers during the 2013 season, but never earned a start.

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He currently plays for Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Basketball Super League.

Fenerbahçe beat Olympiacos 80-64 Sunday in the final of the Euroleague Final Four.

"I feel I have the last laugh. I just turned 24-years-old, lot of time left," Bennett told reporter David Pick Sunday. Bennett didn't play in the championship.

Bennett posted 0.6 points and 0.9 rebounds per game in 10 games for Fenerbahçe.

"I got a lot of information about this place. I learned how big a club Fenerbahce. Especially the passion of the fans is mentioned. I want to say that I am very happy," Bennett told the team website in January. "I will try to play my game. I will try to use the scene in the best possible way. I know I've come to a big and important club."

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Ekpe Udoh was named MVP of the Final Four. He scored 10 points and had eight rebounds, five blocks and four assists in the final. Udoh was the No. 6 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, behind stars like John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins. He played the 2010 season for the Golden State Warriors before joining the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers.

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