‍MONTRÉAL (June 15, 2024) – Canada Basketball, in partnership with Buckets and Borders and in collaboration with Maizon Dort Foundation and the Montréal-Nord borough, unveiled Saturday two revitalized basketball courts at Parc Saint-Laurent in the borough of Montreal-Nord.

Parc Saint-Laurent was identified for the project as the outdoor courts hold special significance for Senior Men’s National Team guard Luguentz Dort, who grew up in the Montreal-Nord community.

“It's an honour and a privilege to give back to the community that watched me grow,” said Luguentz Dort, Senior Men’s National Team guard & Fondation Maizon Dort Founder. “Many of my childhood and teenage memories can be traced back to Montreal North, and specifically to Parc Saint-Laurent.”

“This neighbourhood shaped me into the person I am today, and my hope with this project is to ensure that kids have "a place to dream,” Dort said. "I want them to know that with hard work, passion, determination, and dedication, even their wildest dreams can come true.”

The refurbished courts were unveiled during a community basketball event at Parc Saint-Laurent. The event included free youth programming, a skills competition featuring Canada Basketball-affiliated community programs, and a co-ed all-star game featuring athletes from Hoop Queens and Lu Dort Elite Teams.

Born and raised in Montréal, local artist Olivier Lwambwa was selected following an open artist call to complete the artwork displayed on the two basketball courts. Lwambwa is a Congolese-Canadian multi-disciplinary artist specializing in custom sneaker and apparel design. His art prominently features vibrant colours and memories of his childhood.  Lwambwa collaborated on the design with Dort and a local youth group, who assisted in selecting the colours and words surrounding the court. The purpose of the artwork is to celebrate Dort as a local hero, his Haitian francophone roots, and serve as “a place to dream” for the youth of Montréal-Nord.   

“Luguentz Dort is an inspiration to youth not only locally in the borough of Montreal-Nord but for young Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast who dream of one day representing our country on the international stage,” said Michael Bartlett, President & CEO of Canada Basketball.  “Canada Basketball is thrilled to partner with Buckets and Borders and in collaboration with Maizon Dort Foundation and the Montréal-Nord borough to bring this court art project to life, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact it will undoubtedly have on the growth and popularity of the game within the community.” 

“The Buckets & Borders UNIFIED Partnership with Canada Basketball is built on the foundation of growing the game and bringing people together across the nation,” said Justin Lee, Co-Founder & CEO, Buckets and Borders. “It’s an honour to work alongside Maizon Dort to restore an iconic court in Montréal Nord, and create a space for future generations to dream.”

Surrounded by his family and several local Canada Basketball athletes, alumni, and coaches, Dort celebrated the court unveiling and interacted with local youth. The project was also supported by various community partners, such as the Maizon Dort Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Dort and dedicated to improving the lives of underserved youth in Montréal, the borough of Montreal-Nord, and Ball Her Way.

"With three NBA players coming from here, Montréal-Nord is truly a basketball capital, and we can be very proud of that,” said Christine Black, Borough Mayor of Montréal-Nord.  “Two years ago, we completely renovated the two courts at Saint-Laurent Park for our youth, and today, thanks to Luguentz Dort, his foundation, Canada Basketball, and Buckets & Borders, it is adorned with a magnificent work by artist Olivier Lwambwa.”  

Canada Basketball and Maizon Dort Foundation also presented UNIFIED Assist Program grants to two Montreal-based non-profit grassroots basketball organizations during the event. 

The recipients of the grants were the Trevor Williams Kids Foundation, which provides basketball skill development programs for newcomers and at-risk youth, and Digital Moments, whose programs teach youth how to create social impact by learning data and digital literacy. Canada Basketball launched the UNIFIED Assist Program in 2023 to support non-profit community programs and initiatives developing inclusive and equitable opportunities for youth through sport.

The Parc Saint-Laurent project is the second in a series of court refurbishment initiatives between Canada Basketball and Buckets and Borders, a non-profit organization that uses basketball as a means to improve communities and bring people together through basketball. 

Last year, Buckets and Borders revitalized St. John's Park in Winnipeg, including new backboards, nets, and resurfacing of the asphalt hardtop. The court features the work of Jordan Stranger, a local Indigenous artist who designed and painted the court surface.

Buckets and Borders is one of six UNIFIED Partnerships that Canada Basketball has established with community not-for-profit basketball organizations across the country.  The program supports community organizations with a long-term and ongoing affiliation with Canada Basketball and shared values, objectives and priorities to help further grow the game and remove access barriers for equity-deserving youth through collaborative basketball programming in Canada.

For additional information on Canada Basketball, the Canada Basketball Foundation and the UNIFIED Partnerships program, visit basketball.ca.