Dort completed his high school career at the Athlete Institute in Mono, Ontario, where he was rated as high as a five-star recruit and was one of the top high school players in Canada. In his first year with Arizona State, he earned second-team All-Pac-12 Conference honours and was named to the all-defensive team in the Pac-12. He was also voted the conference’s freshman of the year.[3]
Early life
Dort was born in Montreal, Quebec, to Haitian parents who moved to Canada from Saint-Marc when they were around 21 years old.[4][5] His father worked as a taxi driver and owner while his mother made clothes for a manufacturer.[6] Dort was raised speaking Haitian Creole with his family.[6]
Growing up in Montréal-Nord, he first played soccer as a goalkeeper, but his brothers later influenced him to play basketball.[7][8] Dort played street basketball at Saint Laurent Park near his home in Montreal. His involvement in the sport helped him avoid joining street gangs like some of his friends.[9] At age 12, Dort began playing organized basketball in Park Extension, a neighbourhood in Montreal, where he was coached by Nelson Ossé.[7][10] He started weight training at age 15. At this time, his height was 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m). He would continue to grow about one inch per year through the rest of his teenage years.[7]
High school career
Dort spent his first season at the high school level in Quebec.[11] Through his high school years, he competed for Brookwood Elite on the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit.[12] In July 2015, he played for Canada at the adidas Nations tournament, averaging 9.2 points and 4 rebounds through 4 games.[13][14] As a sophomore, Dort transferred to Arlington Country Day School in Jacksonville, Florida to face better competition and learn English.[9] Before moving, his coach Nelson Ossé urged him to improve his poor academic performance.[9] In August 2016, Dort averaged 11.3 points through 6 games to lead Canada to second place at adidas Nations.[14][15] Later in the month, he was invited to the Nike Americas Team Camp, where he was named most valuable player (MVP) of the All-Star game.[16] Dort moved to Conrad Academy in Orlando, Florida for his junior season, following his former Arlington Country Day coach Shaun Wiseman.[17] In 2017, he took part in adidas Nations and the Nike Hoop Summit All-Star game.[18] Dort also scored 30 points to win team MVP honors at the BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Game.[19] On October 18, 2017, he committed to play college basketball for Arizona State, becoming the program's most touted recruit since James Harden in 2007.[20] As a senior, Dort joined the Athlete Institute, a prep school in Mono, Ontario.[21] In April 2018, he reclaimed team MVP accolades at the BioSteel All-Canadian Game after recording 34 points and 8 rebounds.[22]
On November 6, 2018, Dort made his debut for Arizona State, tallying 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals in a 102–94 win over Cal State Fullerton in double-overtime.[23] He broke the school record for freshman debut points.[24] Dort, on November 12, recorded his first double-double, with 12 points and 12 rebounds in a 90–58 win over Long Beach State.[25] On November 21, he posted 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists against Utah State in the heavyweight bracket of the MGM Resorts Main Event, scoring the third-most points by a freshman in Arizona State history.[26][27] He was named MVP of the tournament.[28] A few days later, Dort was named Pac-12 Conference Player of the Week.[29] He struggled offensively towards the end of December, shooting a combined 9-of-45 from the field through four games from December 15 to 29.[30]
After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Dort signed a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[32] He made his NBA debut on December 6, 2019, playing 7 minutes and grabbing one rebound in an overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. On January 29, 2020, Dort scored a then career-high 23 points with two rebounds, a steal and a block in a 120–100 win over the Sacramento Kings.[33] In the 2020 NBA playoffs, Dort was lauded for his defense on James Harden during a seven game round one loss[34][35] and for, by at least one measure, being "the highest-effort defensive player in the NBA."[36]
On June 24, 2020, the Thunder announced that they had re-signed Dort to a 4-year, $5.4 million contract.[37] On April 13, 2021, Dort scored a career-high 42 points in a 106–96 loss to the Utah Jazz, making seven 3-pointers in the process, also a career-high.[38]
On February 2, 2022, Dort scored a season-high 30 points, including 14 straight points for the Thunder to end the game, in a 120–114 overtime win against the Dallas Mavericks.[39] On March 8, he underwent season-ending surgery to address a labrum tear in his left shoulder.[40]
On July 6, 2022, after he had his team option declined, Dort re-signed with the Thunder on a five-year, $87.5 million contract.[41][42]
On November 3, 2023, Dort led the Thunder in scoring with 29 points while making all six of his three point attempts, during a 141–139 loss to the Golden State Warriors.[43]
National team career
On May 24, 2022, Dort agreed to a three-year commitment to play with the Canadian senior men's national team.[44] He was named to Canada's roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.[45]