Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Masai Ujiri

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Masai Ujiri made an impact.

Masai Ujiri is a Nigerian-Canadian professional basketball executive and former player. He is currently the president of the Toronto Raptors in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Ujiri's executive career began as an international scout, leading to roles with the Denver Nuggets where he became Executive of the Year in 2013. He then joined the Raptors, building a championship-winning team in 2019. He is also known for his humanitarian work, particularly through his Giants of Africa foundation, which focuses on basketball development and education for African youth.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2002: Ujiri Becomes a Scout

In 2002, Masai Ujiri became a scout, initially for the Orlando Magic.

2002: Becomes an Unpaid Scout for the Orlando Magic

In 2002, Masai Ujiri became an unpaid scout for the NBA's Orlando Magic, paying his own way when he had to and sharing rooms with scouts or players.

2003: Founded Giants of Africa

In 2003, Masai Ujiri, then a scout for the Nuggets, founded Giants of Africa with the goal of discovering basketball talent. The first Giants of Africa camp was held in Nigeria.

2008: Becomes Raptors' Assistant General Manager

In 2008, Masai Ujiri became the Toronto Raptors' assistant general manager.

2008: Joins Toronto Raptors Backroom Staff

In 2008, Masai Ujiri joined the backroom staff of the Toronto Raptors.

2010: Returns to Nuggets as General Manager

In 2010, Masai Ujiri returned to the Denver Nuggets as general manager and executive vice president in charge of basketball operations, becoming the first African general manager in major American sports.

May 31, 2013: Signed with Toronto Raptors

On May 31, 2013, Masai Ujiri signed a 5-year, $15 million deal to become executive vice president and general manager of the Toronto Raptors, replacing Bryan Colangelo.

2013: Named NBA Executive of the Year

In 2013, Masai Ujiri was named the NBA Executive of the Year after building a Nuggets’ roster that won 57 games, the most in Denver's NBA history. He is the only non-American ever to win the award.

2016: Giants of Africa documentary film

In 2016, Hubert Davis created a documentary film called Giants of Africa on Ujiri and Basketball Without Borders.

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2016: Contract Extended to Act as President

In 2016, Masai Ujiri's contract was extended to act as the team's president of the Toronto Raptors, and the team reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.

2016: Relinquished GM title and became President of Basketball Operations

In the summer of 2016, Masai Ujiri relinquished his title as general manager to Jeff Weltman and accepted the position of president of basketball operations for the Toronto Raptors.

2017: Weltman Left and Bobby Webster Named General Manager

In 2017, after Jeff Weltman left the organization to join the Orlando Magic, Bobby Webster was named as the Toronto Raptors' new general manager.

November 28, 2018: Received President's Peace Medal

On November 28, 2018, Masai Ujiri received the first-ever President's Peace Medal presented by the YMCA of Greater Toronto during Peace Week.

2018: Fired Dwane Casey and Traded DeRozan for Leonard and Green

In 2018, Masai Ujiri fired head coach Dwane Casey and traded DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. The DeRozan-for-Leonard trade was initially controversial.

December 2019: Launched "That's Humanity" Philanthropic Platform

In December 2019, Masai Ujiri launched a new philanthropic platform called "That's Humanity" that debuted with a personal manifesto and video titled “What does humanity mean to you?”

2019: Raptors Win First NBA Championship

In 2019, as president, Masai Ujiri helped the Toronto Raptors win their first NBA championship.

February 2020: Accompanied Prime Minister Trudeau on African Visit

In February 2020, Masai Ujiri accompanied Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on an official visit to various African nations, including Ethiopia and Senegal. Ujiri appeared on behalf of sport charity Right To Play at an event in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. Trudeau and Ujiri made a surprise visit to thank the Canadian troops in Kuwait.