Canadian · Montreal, Quebec · Born 19 April 1999Tenacious Canadian defensive wing whose physicality, shot-blocking and competitive fire have made him a fan favourite at Oklahoma City.
Luguentz "Lu" Dort was born on 19 April 1999 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to Haitian parents, Lufruentz and Erline, who emigrated from Saint-Marc, Haiti, around age 21; his father became a taxi driver and owner while his mother worked in clothing manufacturing. Raised in Montréal-Nord speaking Haitian Creole, Dort initially played soccer as a goalkeeper before his brothers encouraged him to switch to basketball. Dort attended multiple prep schools in Florida and Ontario before playing one season at Arizona State University, where he was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and earned second-team All-Pac-12 honours in 2019. Dort went undrafted in 2019 but earned a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, developing into one of the league's most tenacious perimeter defenders and earning NBA All-Defensive First Team honours in 2025, before helping the Thunder win the 2025 NBA championship. Dort wore "Respekte Nou," meaning "Respect Us" in Haitian Creole, on his rookie-season jersey as a tribute to his heritage, and signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract extension with the Thunder in 2026, continuing to honour the sacrifices his parents made after leaving Haiti for a new life in Canada.
Elite perimeter defense and clutch three-point shooting
He went undrafted in 2019 and secured a two-way contract, yet became a regular NBA starter for OKC, showing that his physicality, defensive intensity and work ethic were worth more than any draft slot.
Did You Know?How They Played
Lockdown perimeter defender with improved offensive capabilities
Lasting Impact
One of the NBA's premier wing defenders despite going undrafted
Career Honours
- OKC Thunder defensive anchor
| Club | Period | Apps | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 2019–2024 | 344 | #5 |
Canadian Athletes