Cavaliers rookie Anthony Bennett, the top overall pick in the NBA Draft, will not compete in the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star weekend Feb. 14-16, becoming the second top pick not to be invited since the game’s inception and the first since Kwame Brown in 2001.
Dion Waiters was the only Cavs player invited after they sent four players to the game last season.
Bennett played 31 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, easily his most extensive time this season. He set a career high with 15 points (his first time in double figures) and tied a career high with eight rebounds. But it’s been a miserable rookie season for Bennett, who is averaging 2.8 points and 2.4 rebounds.