NBA star Lu Dort back in Montreal North to unveil new-look park
Young and old were jacking threes, driving the lane and practicing the fundementals at the new-look Park Saint-Laurent in Montreal North on Saturday as a local NBA star watched.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Luguentz "Lu" Dort was at the court where he grew up playing with his Maizon Dort foundation to unveil the refurbished courts at the park.
"I'm really just so happy for them," said the player known as the Dorture Chamber. "I hope they're going take care of this court. I hope they're going to come out here and really play and dream."
Dort was born and raised in Montreal North, and he made the inaugural layup at the re-opening of the court.
"I remember when I was coming here as a young player, you know, we didn't have the best court out here, the best rims or whatever. But, you know, we were just waiting for that one person. And I'm fortunate to be that person today," he said.
Maison Dort partnered with Canada Basketball, Buckets and Borders and the City of Montreal to make the court a reality.
"I like the hoops. I love the courts," said eight-year-old MJ Osse.
Osse was sure to wear his no. 5 Dort jersey, saying the OKC forward was his inspiration.
"I always want to be in the NBA; I hope my dream comes true," he said.
New look court in Montreal North.
The courts were created with children like Osse in mind. Local artist Olivier Lwamamwa said he focused on bright colours when designing the space because he wanted it to be a place for kids to dream, and be proud to call home.
"Yes, we're Montreal North, but we're also part of Montreal as a whole, and it's time for the people to respect us, for the people to give us a proper value and showcase to the world what we can do," said Lwambwa.
Dort is an example of this sentiment.
The 6'4" defensive specialist will represent Canada at the Olympics in Paris this summer.
"I always said Montreal North made me," he said. "You know, that's the character: the toughness. Everything I got that I get to show on the big stage now, it comes from Montreal North."
It all started on the courts he was playing at on Saturday, and now the 25-year-old hopes others will follow his lead.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump's Madison Square Garden event features crude and racist insults
Donald Trump took the stage Sunday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden to deliver his campaign's closing argument with the election nine days away after several of his allies used crude and racist insults toward U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and other critics of the former president.
B.C. election results: Mail-in ballots heavily favour NDP, only absentee ballots left to count
The majority of mail-in ballots tallied this weekend for the final count in B.C.’s nail-bitingly close 2024 provincial election went to the NDP, increasing the party’s chances of clinching a third term.
Here's when you need to change your clock back
Millions of Canadians will notice their clocks turn back by one hour on Nov. 3, marking the end of daylight saving time this year.
New polls show Sask. NDP leading over Sask. Party ahead of election day
A pair of new pre-election polls indicate that the Saskatchewan NDP has a slight lead ahead of election day.
17-year-old charged for driving 188 km/h on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
A 17-year-old Ottawa driver was caught speeding nearly 90 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417.
Hollywood star Victor Garber gets emotional after surprise meeting with his former teacher in London, Ont.
Victor Garber got teary-eyed when he walked into a brunch in his honour Sunday in London, Ont.
Another bumpy week ahead as Trudeau faces deadlines from Liberal MPs, Bloc
Another week, another raft of imminent challenges to Justin Trudeau's leadership of both the country and the Liberal Party.
He lost a finger and survived a kidnapping. Then, this climber took on a 9,000-foot 'death-trap'
With jaw-dropping big wall ascents and a life packed with adrenaline and adventure, climber Tommy Caldwell has had a career worthy of – and captured by – a feature film.
How to make sure your used clothes go to the right place – and not to organized crime
Giving away used clothes for a second life feels like an act of charity – and it often is. But it’s become more complicated. A W5 investigation has discovered allegations that organized crime players are muscling in on charities to access their donation bins.