Overview:
When the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder clinched the 2025 NBA championship, many Haitians tuned in not only for the sport, however for a second of delight: seeing Lu Dort or Ben Mathurin wave the Haitian flag. And Dort delivered. The OKC guard proudly displayed the Haitian flag after successful the NBA Finals, inspiring Haitians again residence to imagine they, too, can attain the game’s highest degree.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — On June 22, Varona Jean-Charles, a Léogâne resident, watched Sport 7 of the 2025 NBA finals at his neighbor’s home, simply as he had been doing all through all the collection. The joy inside the lounge intensified greater than on earlier nights, because it was the ultimate sport to find out the champion.
About each time Haitian Canadians Luguentz “Lu” Dort and Bennedith “Ben” Mathurin touched the ball, the group of 5 Haitian followers, 4 males and one lady, stated “Se yon Ayisyen ki ak balon an wi la” (The Haitian has the ball).
Every time somebody fouled Mathurin, they yelled “Yo fè fot sou Ayisyen an wi” (They fouled the Haitian).
They gave us motivation for basketball. They gave us extra causes to like the sport of basketball. We by no means had two gamers within the NBA finals.”
Varona Jean-Charles, basketball fan
Whereas watching the sport itself was a delight, many Haitians eagerly waited for the post-game celebration to see one factor: whether or not Mathurin or Dort would wave the Haitian flag. When Dort gained the NBA Finals with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, he didn’t disappoint. The 26-year-old waved the Haitian flag tied to the Canadian flag, then wore it over his shoulder after the sport on June 22 on the Paycom Middle area in Oklahoma Metropolis. OKC topped the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Sport 7 to raise the trophy after an exhilarating collection full of drama.
“There we go. There’s the flag floating,” Jean-Charles, 28, advised The Haitian Occasions, reminiscing on the picture of Dort carrying the flag after Sport 7.
“That is huge. This 12 months, we’ve got somebody representing us within the closing.”
Dort wore the flag once more throughout OKC’s championship parade, tucking it in entrance of his pants whereas holding the trophy on June 25. To many Haitians, this symbolizes that regardless of the numerous crises the nation faces, folks of Haitian descent can succeed on the highest ranges. Dort successful the NBA title additionally led some native Haitians to imagine that in the event that they acquired assist from the federal government, they may obtain success as he did.
“There are different folks of Haitian descent or Haitians in Haiti who can do it too; we simply want extra visibility and assist or a basketball federation that helps us,” Otniel Despagne, a basketball fan in Port-au-Prince, stated. “Watching Dort with the Haitian flag evokes us. It motivates us to succeed as effectively.”
Jean-Charles needs that Dort and Mathurin would begin basketball camps in Haiti to assist different younger skills observe of their footsteps. However he understands that it’s unlikely for that to occur as a result of gang violence disaster in Port-au-Prince.
“If Haiti have been regular, they may’ve introduced basketball to Haiti, however this can be a nation that’s not functioning,” Jean-Charles stated.
“They gave us motivation for basketball. They gave us extra causes to like the sport of basketball. We by no means had two gamers within the NBA finals. They usually have been very helpful to their groups. We haven’t seen this.”
Dort acknowledged Haiti’s struggles and was proud to characterize his nation within the NBA finals.
“It means rather a lot, these are my folks proper right here, Canada and Haiti,” Dort stated in a press conference after the ultimate.
“I’m at all times grateful and proud to characterize them at this greatest stage. Haiti has been by rather a lot. I’m completely happy to characterize Haiti on the greatest stage, you understand, being a champion now.”
Mathurin was additionally born in Montreal, Canada, to Haitian dad and mom. The pair of Haitian Canadians dazzled within the finals. Dort was arguably the highest defender within the finals but additionally contributed closely offensively, racking the very best three-pointers made common out of each groups, 2.4.
In the meantime, Mathurin was the Pacers’ third prime scorer, regardless that he was coming off the bench, scoring 12.4 factors per sport within the finals. At solely 23 years of age, Mathurin has proven that he has the potential to change into a celebrity with Indiana.
To many Haitian followers, Dort is already a celebrity. He made the 2025 All-NBA Defensive First Staff and completed fourth within the Defensive Participant of the Yr contest.
It’s the first time Haitians are witnessing NBA gamers of their origin in Dort and Mathurin’s caliber obtain success.
“They’ve plenty of potential,” Jean-Charles stated. “Folks shouldn’t solely promote what’s unfavorable about us. These two guys are our two [positive] examples within the sport of basketball.”