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Masai Ujiri

President and Vice-Chairman, Toronto Raptors | Founder, Giants of Africa

Masai Ujiri - Headshot Oct 2023
When Women Win, We All Win
HBO Real Sports Profile
GMA Interview on Social Justice
Masai
Masai Ujiri - Headshot Oct 2023
When Women Win, We All Win
HBO Real Sports Profile
GMA Interview on Social Justice

As president and vice-chairman of the Toronto Raptors, Masai Ujiri has led the team through its most successful period in franchise history, including an NBA Championship. In June 2019, the Raptors won their first NBA title with a six-game victory over Golden State. Ujiri has also led the team to five Atlantic Division titles, their first appearance in the Eastern Conference finals, and to a record number of wins in a single season.

Ujiri began his NBA career on the ground as a scout, searching for talent all over the globe. He was named general manager of the Denver Nuggets in 2011 — becoming the first African-born GM in pro sports — and won the Executive of the Year award in 2013. Ujiri served as director of global scouting and assistant general manager to the Raptors before taking the role as president in 2013. He added the role of vice-chairman to his responsibilities in 2021.

While he is proud to be the first African team president in North American sports, Ujiri has said that he would consider it a failure if he was the last: “Being first is good, but I don’t want to be the only one. There have to be more.” His belief in equity and diversity is reflected in his organization, where he is committed to hiring women and investing in organizational inclusion and diversity.

Ujiri is also the founder of Giants of Africa (GOA), a charity organization that uses sport as a tool to enrich the lives of African youth and create opportunities for them on and off the court. Ujiri’s ethos is to “dream big” and today his organization reaches youths in more than 17 African countries.

To celebrate GOA’s 15th anniversary, Ujiri was joined by former US President Barack Obama to open the Giants of Africa court in Alego, Kenya. GOA has now committed to building 100 basketball courts as part of a continent-wide investment in sports infrastructure. In August 2023, GOA hosted its inaugural Giants of Africa festival to mark its 20th anniversary. This festival brought together 250 youth from 16 African nations for a week-long celebration of basketball, education, culture, and entertainment.

Ujiri has been named an Officer to the Order of Canada for his contribution as an NBA executive and humanitarian. He previously served as director of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Africa program and travelled with the Prime Minister as part of the Canadian delegation to the 2019 African Union meetings. He currently sits on the advisory board of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security.

In 2020, Ujiri launched the That’s Humanity movement inspired by his experience and lessons learned from some of the world’s greatest leaders, including Nelson Mandela.

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

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