Dort Is One Of Top Unsigned Recruits

Luguentz Dort is back on the court this July, perhaps the most critical time of his illustrious prep career.

The bullish 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard is back from a minor wrist injury which relegated him to the role of spectator during the NBA Top 100 camp at University of Virginia last month.


When your game is predicated on attacking and finishing at the rim and absorbing the upfront hits from rim-protecting bigs, injuries are simply a part of the game.

 Dort is a different breed because due to his ability to find seams in the defense and exploit them.

While the Montreal native brings a flashy and powerful style, one underscored by an extravagant above-the-rim aptitude, IQ plays a considerable role in his slashing ability.

In becoming one the country's most effective and efficient around the rim, Dort has developed a habit of carving defenses and finding the right spacing and acrobatics to make the play. Much of it is dependent on reading the defense and seizing the best possible route to the rim.

Dort spent much of the last year answering critics who questioned his shooting ability. His development of a quicker release, vastly improved 3-point shooting, and still-growing pull-up game has rendered him one of the top unsigned scorers in the country.

 This much was evident during 33-point and 36-point performances against Arlington Country Day and 22 Feet Academy, respectively. As an unheralded and unheard of sophomore, Dort scored 30 points against then-senior Josh Jackson and Prolific Prep.

The adjustments to his game and scoring have resulted in an uptick of offers. Dort entered the 2016-17 campaign with offers from Florida, Louisville, Arizona State, Missouri, Oregon, Baylor, and Oklahoma. Now on the periphery of a potential decision in August, countless programs are involved. Michigan State, Indiana, West Virginia, Miami, UNLV, Pittsburgh, UConn and countless others have come into the picture.

“They’re all very active,” said Dort’s Brookwood Elite AAU coach, Nelson Osse. “Right now Luguentz is focused on helping the team in winning it all. He really embraced the recruitment process and felt privileged to be recruited by so many great schools and coaches.”

Dating back to August, it seemed Louisville would have the upper hand on the ground. Rick Pitino and then-assistant Mike Balado went to Orlando to see him play at The Conrad Academy.

 Witnessing Dort’s power in the open court, ability to play both guard positions, and defensive relentlessness across the court, the no-brainer offer was there. He visited the school several weeks later, developing a rapport with first round draft pick Donovan Mitchell and V.J. King.

Louisville assistants Kenny Johnson and David Padgett both came to Conrad’s gym to watch Dort in practice. The commitment of Anfernee Simons, a hot-shooting guard of the same position and 2018 class as Dort, did nothing to take them out of his consideration.

Oregon assistant Micheal Mennenga was on hand to see Dort play against ACD in December. The Ducks recent success churning out Canadians leads many to believe Oregon possibly has the upper hand on all of Dort's high-major suitors.

Partly at the stage Grind Session had to offer and party at his performances against high-caliber programs such as Wesleyan Christian (N.C.) and Tech Academy (24 points, game-winning lay-in), Dort catapulted into the upper crust of the country’s unsigned recruits.

Since the time he was at Arlington Country Day School in Jacksonville, Fla, Florida has been in heavy pursuit. Sold on his powerful build, vertical explosiveness and lateral quickness, Mike White made it clear just how much the Gators wanted him.

Scott Drew was on hand to meet with Dort in Orlando, pitching the Baylor program which molded Canadians such as sharpshooter Brady Heslip and Dort’s cousin, Kenny Chery.

 Chery, who averaged 11 points and four assists at Baylor, is currently authoring a pro career overseas. Miami and Indiana have recently upped the ante for Dort.

Applying pressure all over the court and making picks which only rarified athletes are capable of, Dort’s improved defense has jacked up his high-major stock. Possessing a build akin to Ron Artest, Dort’s physical attributes and toughness differentiate the Class of 2018 combo guard.