A coach proud of the development of Luguentz Dort

If Chris Boucher and the Raptors were in the spotlight, Sunday evening at the Bell Centre, there was also talk of another Quebecer: Luguentz Dort.

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Now head coach of the Washington Wizards, Brian Keefe was indeed among the first to advise “Lu Dort” when he arrived in the NBA, in 2019-2020, with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Keefe was an assistant with the Thunder at the time.

“I’m a coach who has always been defensive-oriented and he’s a great role model in that side of the game,” Keefe said. It’s incredible to see him evolve so far. A fantastic guy, a hard worker, a good defender and a fabulous basketball player.”

“Everyone loves him!”

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic also worked with the Thunder organization for a long time, from 2012 to 2019. This was just before Dort arrived in the NBA. This does not prevent him from having followed the start of his career with attention.

“I naturally followed the activities of my former team, knowing several coaches and managers,” Rajakovic said. I know everyone loves him there and I think the Thunder have been able to develop him well to become a starter at the NBA level.

At just 25 years old, Dort has effectively become a well-established player in Oklahoma City, having signed a five-year contract for $87.5 million with the Thunder in July 2022.

“He’s a fantastic player and quite a competitor, I know he himself has put a lot of work into becoming the player he is,” Rajakovic praised. I notably saw him play for Canada at the Olympic Games and he is a guy who brings a lot to a team. He was one of the most important players for the Canadian team.”

– After the start of the preseason schedule for the Raptors, Sunday in Montreal, it is the Thunder who will play their first preseason match, Monday, at the home of the San Antonio Spurs.