Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

NBA

Canadian Luguentz Dort scores 30 Points, Most by Undrafted Rookie In NBA Playoffs History

Passed on by 30 NBA teams at the 2019 NBA Draft, Dort is making a mockery of NBA scouting departments.

Canadian Luguentz Dort 30 Points Most by Undrafted Rookie in NBA Playoffs History
Canadian Luguentz Dort attacks the basket on his way 30 Points the most by undrafted Rookie in NBA Playoffs History - Photo OKC Thunder

The path toward NBA stardom is never a straight line.

In fact, the journey is reminiscent of a stock chart, fuelled by learning experiences, disappointments and growth opportunities along the way.

For Canadian guard Luguentz Dort, he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Earned, not given, is how they are raised in the tough streets of Montreal.

Passed on by 30 NBA teams at the 2019 NBA Draft, Dort is making a mockery of NBA scouting departments by applying the same principles that got the 6-foot-3 guard to where he is today.

Grit, hard-work and self-belief.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Highly-praised for his defensive prowess and doubted for his shooting stroke, the rugged 220-pound Montreal native unleashed a career-high 30-point game in a tough 104-102 Game 7 loss to the Houston Rockets. Dort connected on 10-of-21 field goals and knocked down 6-of-12 three-pointers, adding four rebounds and a blocked shot.

Dort’s surprising and unexpected point total is the most ever for an undrafted rookie in a playoff game since the draft was introduced in 1947. Furthermore, he now holds the record for most points by a Canadian in a game seven — surpassing newly minted Brooklyn head coach Steve Nash’s record of 29 points, 11 assists on May 22, 2006, against the Los Angeles Clippers.

If that wasn’t enough, he also goes into the Oklahoma City Thunder playoff record books for most points, field goals and three-pointers made by a rookie.

James Harden Praises Luguentz Dort

Matching up against James Harden, arguably one the best scorers in NBA history, Dort rose to the occasion and not only earned the nickname “The Harden Stopper,” but also garnered the respect of the three-time NBA scoring champ by limiting Harden to series-low 17 points in the most crucial game of the season for the OKC Thunder.

“He just plays his butt off. He doesn’t care about anything but playing hard, and as a young guy coming into this league that’s all you can ask for. Learning how to play and learning defensive schemes and offensive schemes and the total package of being a NBA player is going to come, but he has the right mindset of just playing hard and not caring about what anybody thinks and he’s gonna have a great career,” praised Harden during his post-game interview.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Respect Nous, Respect Me. Expect Me. I’m Coming.

5 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Advertisement

BUZZING

NCAA

Talented Canadian freshman Vasean Allette has been dismissed from the Old Dominion Monarchs basketball team by Interim Coach Kieran Donohue.

NBA

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becomes just the third Canadian to be named NBA All-Star starter.

NCAA

In a historic game honoring their greatest player, Steve Nash, the Santa Clara Broncos stunned No. 21 Gonzaga with a one-point victory.

NBA

Track, compare, analyze and visualize all the Canadians in the NBA with the 2023-24 BasketballBuzz Canadian NBA stats tracker.

NBA

A record 28 Canadians are on 2023-24 NBA opening day rosters. Breakdown the complete list with interactive charts and cool facts.

NBA

There's been a lot of talk out of Hollywood this off-season. Script it however you like. Did they forget how the West (and the...

FIBA

Dillon Brooks, with a record-breaking 39 points, led Canada to a thrilling 127-118 overtime victory over the USA, securing the bronze medal at the...

FIBA

Team Canada made a resounding statement, securing a commanding 95-65 victory against France in their inaugural game at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

BasketballBuzz - Canada's Basketball Magazine