Anthony Bennett

Tony Bennett is an American former professional basketball player and college basketball coach who recently retired after a highly successful coaching career. He has played for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association for 3 seasons.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Anthony Guy Bennett was born on June 1, 1969, in Clintonville, Wisconsin. He stands 183 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 79 kg. He shot left and played point guard throughout his career.

Bennett is married to Laurel (née Purcell), whom he met at a church in North Carolina while playing for the Charlotte Hornets. They have two children, one son and one daughter.

A devoted Christian, Bennett has often spoken about how his faith influences his coaching philosophy, particularly through his father's "Five Pillars": humility, passion, unity, servanthood, and thankfulness.

He comes from a notable coaching family. His father, Dick Bennett, was a head coach at several schools including Washington State and Wisconsin. His sister Kathi Bennett coached at Northern Illinois and Indiana.

The "pack line" defense that Tony perfected at Virginia was first implemented by his father.

High School and College Career

Bennett attended Preble High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin, before playing college basketball at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay from 1988 to 1992.

During his collegiate career, he was a two-time MCC Player of the Year (1991, 1992), three-time First-team All-MCC selection (1990-1992). He also received the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award in 1992.

He was also named Academic All-American of the Year in 1991 and was a two-time Academic All-American (1991, 1992).

Playing Career

Selected 35th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1992 NBA Draft, Bennett played three seasons in the NBA before concluding his playing career with the North Harbour Vikings in New Zealand.

Coaching Career

Bennett began his coaching career with the North Harbour Kings in New Zealand before serving as an assistant coach at Wisconsin and Washington State.

He became the head coach at Washington State in 2006, where he compiled a 69-33 record over three seasons, including two NCAA Tournament appearances.

In April 2009, Bennett was appointed head coach at the University of Virginia, where he built one of the most successful programs in college basketball.

During his 15-year tenure at Virginia, Bennett amassed a 364-136 record, leading the Cavaliers to the 2019 NCAA Championship, six ACC regular-season championships, two ACC Tournament titles, and 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.

On October 18, 2024, Bennett announced his retirement from coaching after 15 seasons at Virginia.

He finished his career with an overall record of 433-169, including a 364-136 mark at Virginia, making him the winningest coach in school history. Bennett passed Terry Holland as UVA's all-time winningest coach with a win over Syracuse on January 7, 2023.

Career Highlights:

• 2019 - NCAA Division I Tournament Champion
• 2014, 2018 - ACC Tournament Champion
• 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023 - ACC Regular Season Champion
• 2007, 2015, 2018 - Henry Iba Award
• 2007, 2018 - Naismith College Coach of the Year
• 2007, 2018 - AP National Coach of the Year
• 2018 - NABC Coach of the Year
• 2007 - Jim Phelan Award
• 2007 - Sporting News Coach of the Year
• 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019 - ACC Coach of the Year
• 2007 - Pac-10 Coach of the Year

Medal Record, Men's Basketball Representing the United States

• Gold - 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship Prague (Assistant Coach)
• Bronze - 1991 Pan American Games Havana (Player)