MIAMI (Le Floridien) — For the first time in NBA history, the 2024-2025 NBA Finals will feature two Haitian-Canadian players going head-to-head for basketball’s biggest prize.
Bennedict Mathurin, guard-forward for the Indiana Pacers, and Luguentz Dort, guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, will be battling on the court — while proudly carrying the flag of their Haitian heritage.
Their presence on this grand stage is more than a sports milestone — it is a powerful moment of pride for the global Haitian diaspora. Regardless of the outcome, these Finals will write a new chapter in Haitian basketball history.
Haitian Pride on the NBA’s Biggest Stage
No matter which team wins, one thing is certain: this will be the first time that two players of Haitian descent will face off against each other in an NBA Finals.
While Mario Elie, the legendary Haitian-Canadian guard, famously won three NBA championships in the 1990s (with the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs), this year’s Finals marks a first: a true Haitian-vs-Haitian showdown for the trophy.
It’s a moment of immense pride for the Haitian community, as both Mathurin and Dort carry their cultural identity with them — and inspire countless young players in Haiti, Canada, and beyond.
Haitian Roots and Family Values
Both Bennedict Mathurin and Luguentz Dort were born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, to Haitian immigrant parents who shaped their lives with strong cultural values.
Mathurin, the youngest of three children, grew up speaking Creole at home. His mother, Elvie Jeune, raised him with Haitian traditions, and Mathurin often shares how Haitian food — especially rice and beans with chicken — and family discipline played a key role in his development. His Haitian identity remains central to who he is as a player and as a person.
Dort’s family story is equally inspiring. His parents, Lufruentz and Erline Dort, emigrated from Saint-Marc, Haiti to Montreal. His father, a former school principal, became a taxi driver, and his mother worked in a clothing factory. At home, Dort spoke Creole and grew up immersed in Haitian culture, which taught him resilience, humility, and pride — qualities he brings to the court every night.
Basketball Journeys to the Top
Bennedict Mathurin made history early in his career as the first Canadian-born player to join the NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico City. From there, he played college basketball at the University of Arizona, where he was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and a consensus second-team All-American.
In 2022, the Indiana Pacers selected him sixth overall in the NBA Draft. Since then, Mathurin has emerged as a dynamic scorer and rising star, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2023.
Luguentz Dort followed a different path. After a standout season at Arizona State University, where he was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Dort went undrafted in 2019. However, he soon earned a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder and quickly impressed with his elite defense and work ethic.
Today, Dort is a core player for the Thunder, known across the league for his defensive toughness and leadership.
Giving Back to the Haitian Community
Both players remain deeply connected to their Haitian roots — and are committed to giving back.
Mathurin has organized initiatives to support youth in Haiti, including a project with Adidas that provided gear to over 300 Haitian children.
Dort founded the Maizon Dort Foundation, which helps underserved youth in Montreal, Oklahoma City, and Arizona through sports and wellness programs — empowering young people from communities like the one he grew up in.
A Moment of Inspiration for the Diaspora
As the NBA Finals begin, Haitians across the globe — from Port-au-Prince to Montreal, from Miami to Paris — will be watching with pride.
The journeys of Bennedict Mathurin and Luguentz Dort embody the strength, resilience, and talent of the Haitian people. They are role models for a new generation, showing that no dream is too big, and no barrier too high.
And when the final buzzer sounds, whether it’s the Pacers or the Thunder lifting the trophy, one thing is certain: a player of Haitian descent will be an NBA champion. And the Haitian flag will be waving proudly, celebrating not only victory on the court — but the triumph of heritage, family, and community.
