Somewhere between the rhythm of kompa and the brisk Montreal winters, two kids—born in Canada with Haitian roots—were molding a dream neither could fully explain yet.
Now, Lu Dort and Bennedict Mathurin are making history—not just by playing in the NBA Finals, but by representing something bigger than basketball. Not only are they the first Montreal-born players to share an NBA Finals court, they’re also the first Haitians to do it.
In a world saturated with negative headlines and harmful narratives about Haiti, stories like Dort and Mathurin’s feel like a necessary exhale—proof that the culture runs deeper than the chaos, and that the flag still flies high.
“I have a lot of pride,” said Lu Dort, when asked about representing Haiti. “With the stuff that the whole country has been through, many of our parents tried their best to move their kids to a better life, so although I grew up in Canada, I’ll always represent Haiti.”
Haiti was the first Black republic—born out of revolution. But that freedom came at a cost. France made them pay billions just for breaking free, draining the country for generations. Mix that with corrupt leadership and constant foreign meddling, and you get the turmoil we see today. Still, through it all, the pride never left.
Mathurin added to the conversation, giving his take on Haiti and what it means for two Haitians to share the NBA Finals floor, “Haiti is a great and amazing country. I just think the country is a little lost right now. But for Lu and me, it’s a great opportunity. The slogan is ‘Ansanm nou fò,’ meaning ‘we must come together.’ I feel like that’s a great starting point.”
Mathurin also had a message for fellow Haitian-Canadian kids—and Montreal youth in general.
“If you put the work in, stay faithful, and do the right things, you know, you have a chance to get to the NBA as well,” he said. “When I have conversations about whether or not I feel lucky about being here, I say no—because I know that I put in the work.”
For Haitian kids watching from Port-au-Prince, Little Haiti in Miami, and across the boroughs of Montreal, this moment hits different. It’s more than a game—it’s a signal. A reminder that their stories matter. That their roots run deep—even if the league is just starting to pay attention.
Two sons of Haiti. Two products of Montreal. Two relentless hoopers from opposite ends of the floor.
Dort, the bulldog defender who’ll guard your best player like the rent’s due. Mathurin, the confident shot-maker who plays with that island swagger.
Twenty-six-year-old Dort has become one of the most consistently elite and lethal defenders in the league, fighting tooth-and-nail for All-Defensive recognition and Defensive Player of the Year honors. He finally checked one of those off his list but still feels he was snubbed from the DPOY conversation—he wasn’t even a finalist.
Mathurin, on the other hand, though a little younger at 22 years old, is an offensive juggernaut. A future elite scorer in the league. He averaged 16.5 points on 43.4 percent shooting as a rookie, missed part of year two with a shoulder injury, and came back swinging in year three—averaging 16.1 points on 45.8 percent shooting.
Now, they meet on the biggest stage in basketball.
But this isn’t just a matchup—it’s a moment.
It’s not a rivalry.
It’s a celebration.
From Ayiti to OKC and Indiana—nou la.
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