Masai Ujiri

Masai Ujiri has transitioned from a professional basketball player to a highly successful executive, leading teams to championships and fostering basketball development across Africa. After concluding his professional playing career in 2002, Masai Ujiri quickly established himself as a highly successful executive, renowned for leading teams to championships and fostering basketball development across Africa. Following his collegiate career playing at Bismarck State College, where he averaged 12.9 points and 6.8 rebounds as a freshman, and 16.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists as a sophomore, earning All-Mon-Dak Conference first-team and All-Region XIII honors, Ujiri played professionally with teams including Solent Stars and Derby Rams. Upon the conclusion of his playing tenure, he began as an unpaid scout for the Orlando Magic before joining the Denver Nuggets as an international scout.

Ujiri rejoined the Toronto Raptors in 2013, initially serving as executive vice president and general manager, before being elevated to president of basketball operations in 2016. During his tenure, he masterminded a significant restructuring of the team, most notably through the pivotal trades for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. This strategic vision culminated in the Raptors securing their first-ever NBA championship in 2019, a historic milestone for the franchise and Canadian basketball. Beyond his groundbreaking executive roles, Ujiri founded Giants of Africa in 2003, a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and developing basketball talent across the continent.

He has also actively served as director of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Africa program, further cementing his commitment to promoting basketball development globally. For his extensive and distinguished contributions, Ujiri was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2023. In June 2025, Ujiri concluded his impactful 13-season tenure with the Toronto Raptors.