(Montreal) When Quebecer Luguentz Dort is in action with the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Detroit Pistons in a preseason game at the Bell Center on Thursday evening, Montreal basketball fans will see in him a player whose trademarks are the enthusiasm and effort.
““Lu” has evolved greatly since he started with us (in 2019). I would say in terms of his understanding of the game and the league – that’s often the case, but it definitely applies to him,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said in the morning.
“He always had this competitive, go-getter and tough side. In his first game (in the NBA), he rushed on a loose ball late in the game, and it was a really crucial play for us. He’s been that type of player from the very beginning,” added Daigneault.
Reflecting his hard work and feel for the game, Dort finished ninth in the NBA in recovering 59 turnovers last season.
The main person concerned is obviously excited about the idea of playing in front of his family.
“Just being here, warming up, and thinking I’m going to play here tonight, it’s fabulous,” Dort said. I never dreamed of anything like this.
“A lot of people here love basketball, and it’s good that the NBA is hosting (this kind of game). It’s going to be a show. We are going to play with intensity and I hope the fans will have fun,” added the player from Montreal North.
The 24-year-old athlete is expected to count on the support of at least 150 friends, family and friends in the stands for the occasion.
The public will certainly get behind the Thunder, who also count on star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, from Hamilton, Ontario.
“It’s very pleasant to play here, where Luguentz comes from, it’s exciting,” said Daigneault. We are proud to have players from everywhere. We don’t take lightly knowing that every game there are likely people in the crowd who have never seen you in action before. »
Dort’s last game in Montreal was possibly around age 15, with Brookwood Elite of the AAU circuit. From there he played in programs in Florida and Ontario, before distinguishing himself with Arizona State in the American university ranks (NCAA), for one season.
He went undrafted in 2019, but agreed to a two-way deal from the Thunder.
Since that time, the six-foot-four, 220-pound guy has made his mark with great success. In the summer of 2022, he signed a five-year pact with the Thunder for a reported US$87.5 million.
Dort and “SGA” have been playing together for four seasons and their chemistry was palpable at the FIBA World Cup this summer, where they helped Canada earn bronze.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished fourth in the tournament averaging 24.5 points per game. Dort shined on defense and averaged 8.2 points per game.
“It was really a great experience (the World Cup). He is like a brother to me, Dort said in the morning on Thursday. We played together so many times; we know each other very well. At the end of matches, when he has the ball in his hands, I know he will score. »
Dort has built a very enviable reputation on defense, but he can also play an important role on offense, as evidenced by his 14 games of 20 points or more in 2022-23.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished fourth in the NBA with a career-high 31.4 points per game. He also set personal marks for steals per game and blocks per game.
Last season, the Thunder jumped 16 wins from the previous season. The club was stopped in the second round of the playoff qualifying tournament, losing to the Timberwolves in Minnesota.
The Thunder’s regular season begins on October 25, against the Bulls in Chicago.
On Wednesday, the Thunder got involved in the community by visiting the Calixa-Lavallée school, where Dort attended high school.
We put a life-size photo montage of Dort on the gym wall (on offense as a teenager with Brookwood Elite, then on defense with the Thunder).
Next to the image is the following quote from the Montreal athlete: “Dream big, never stop working and never forget where you came from.”
The mascot Rumble the bison was there with cheerleaders, among others. The Thunder also gave the Montreal-North school around a hundred basketballs with the team logo.
In a separate activity at the Bell Center on Wednesday, participants aged 14 to 17 received tickets to the game and tips from Richard Hamilton, a former Pistons star.
A three-time All-Star, Hamilton told the kids to focus on the fundamentals of basketball.
Proceeds from the 50/50 match in Montreal will be shared between Basketball Québec, the Canadiens Children’s Foundation, the evenko foundation and Kids Help Phone. As of shortly after noon on Thursday, the jackpot stood at more than $6,400.
Thursday night’s game will be shown on RDS Info, TSN3 and TSN5, starting at 7 p.m.
