Montreal native and NBA titleholder Luguentz Dort will be visiting Montreal next week, where a victory parade is scheduled to take place in his former neighborhood. Earlier this year, Dort’s team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, secured the Larry O’Brien Trophy after defeating the Indiana Pacers in a thrilling seven-game series.
On August 20th, Dort is set to participate in an event at city hall at 4 p.m. alongside Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante to commemorate his achievements and dedication to the city’s youth. During this ceremony, Dort will autograph the city’s guestbook, known as the “Livre d’or,” in the presence of approximately 200 individuals from the local sports community.
The following day, Dort will be part of a parade in Montréal-Nord, the district where he spent his formative years. Reflecting on the support he received throughout the season, Dort expressed his gratitude to the community, stating, “I feel like they deserve that because they’ve been supporting me all season.”
In a remarkable NBA Finals matchup, Dort faced off against his friend Bennedict Mathurin, who also hails from Montréal-Nord. This showdown was a moment of immense pride for Canadians, Quebecers, Montreal residents, and the individuals in their shared community.
Montréal-Nord is a hub for many Haitian-Montrealers, a background shared by both Dort and Mathurin. Despite the excitement surrounding the upcoming events, the exact location of the parade has not been disclosed in the recent announcements.
Dort’s championship victory marked a significant milestone in his journey, especially after facing disappointment during the 2019 draft. Reflecting on his experiences, Dort mentioned, “It’s always a motivation every time I face a team that had the chance to draft me. But at the same time, it shaped me as a player and helped me, you know, get to where I am today.”
Following the parade, Dort will host the fifth edition of his basketball camp, Camp Élite, a two-day event scheduled for Friday and Saturday, featuring numerous basketball players from the region.