From Inner City Toronto to NBA Stardom, W5 Follows the Anthony Bennett Story, Saturday on CTV

To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/1iDT6MI

TORONTO (December 5, 2013) – This week, W5 takes viewers inside the inspiring story of Toronto’s Anthony Bennett, the first-ever Canadian to be the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) #1 draft pick, when he was chosen by  the Cleveland Cavaliers in June, 2013. Premiering Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO, “RISING ABOVE” tracks Bennett’s journey from an inner city Toronto neighbourhood to becoming an NBA star and a local hero. W5’s Tom Kennedy speaks with Bennett, as well as Bennett’s mother, childhood friends, and other NBA stars including Canadian Steve Nash, offering viewers an insider look at the life of a gifted Canadian athlete, and his remarkable journey so far.

W5 offers viewers an insider glimpse at where it all began for Bennett: raised by a single mother in Toronto’s Jane and Finch area, a neighbourhood where street gangs and violence are a part of everyday life. Bennett’s mother emigrated from Jamaica to Canada, working two full time jobs in hopes of building a better life for her three children.

Unlike many elite athletes, sports never seemed pre-destined for Anthony. As a child he was neither athletic nor tall. But that changed in his teens – as he grew, so did his interest and ability in basketball. An early standout in local Toronto leagues, Bennett moved to the U.S., spending his final year of high school in Nevada where he became a top prospect. That led to a basketball scholarship at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas – and a determination to make basketball his career. It was there in his first year that Bennett achieved the truly rare opportunity of being drafted into the NBA – and becoming the #1 draft pick.

Bennett reveals to W5 his enduring love for the community where he grew up, proudly baring a tattoo of the of Toronto landmarks including the CN Tower. He is now a neighbourhood hero looked up to by those playing on the same outdoor court where he learned the game. Beyond his neighbourhood, Bennett has made an impact internationally, helping change the perception of Canadian basketball players and setting the stage for future NBA stars from Canada.

“I just hope to motivate kids, you know, to never give up on their dream,” said Bennett.

W5 also airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on CTV Two, and can be seen on Investigation Discovery on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET, and Wednesdays 12 noon ET; on demand at CTVNews.ca/W5; the CTV GO App, the CTV Mobile channel on Bell Mobile TV, and through video on demand partners, such as Bell Fibe TV (visit CTV.ca for local listings). W5 is also simulcast in Toronto on CFRB NEWSTALK1010.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:

@CTVW5

@HeyMalarek

@Koschany

@LisaLaFlammeCTV

@SandieR_CTV

@KevinNewmanCTV

@CTV_PR

@CTV_Television

Facebook:

facebook.com/CTVW5

facebook.com/ctv

About W5

With an ongoing commitment to covering tough, relevant stories with fair and responsible reporting, W5 is in its 48th season of investigative journalism. Hosted by CTV NEWS’ Lloyd Robertson, the award-winning series is the most-watched documentary program in Canada. Anton Koschany is Executive Producer of W5. Brett Mitchell is Senior Producer. Wendy Freeman is President, CTV News.

About CTV
CTV is Canada’s #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada’s most-watched television network for the past 12 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network’s website at ctv.ca.

– CTV-

For more information, contact:

Patricia Garcia, Bell Media, 416.384.2645 or patricia.garcia@bellmedia.ca 

Julie MacFarlane, Bell Media, 416.384.4623 or julie.macfarlane@bellmedia.ca