When Haiti once again finds its way into NBA history, it is through two young men shaped by determination. For the first time, two players from the same neighborhood in Montreal will go head-to-head on the biggest stage in global basketball. Luguentz Dort and Bennedict Mathurin, both from Montréal-Nord and of Haitian descent, are set to deliver a thrilling series starting June 5.

Raised in a multicultural neighborhood in the heart of Quebec’s metropolis, Dort and Mathurin grew up in households where Haitian traditions played a central role. Creole cuisine, compas music, family discipline, and values of perseverance marked their upbringing. It was in this environment—blending Creole identity with North American culture—that they found the strength to push past limits.