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Masai Ujiri

Masai Ujiri is a Canadian basketball executive and former player, best known for leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2019.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Masai Ujiri is a Canadian basketball executive and former player, best known for leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2019. Born in Bournemouth, England, and raised in Nigeria, he has also held senior front-office roles with the Denver Nuggets and, as of 2026, the Dallas Mavericks.

Early life and background

Ujiri was born on July 7, 1970, in Bournemouth, England, to Nigerian parents and was raised in Nigeria. He later built his basketball career in North America and became a Canadian citizen.

Executive career

Ujiri served as general manager of the Denver Nuggets and was named NBA Executive of the Year for the 2012–13 season. He later joined the Toronto Raptors, where he became president and vice-chairman.

Toronto Raptors tenure

As president of the Toronto Raptors, Ujiri helped transform the team into a sustained contender. Under his leadership, the franchise won its first NBA championship in 2019, becoming the first team based outside the United States to win the title.

Later career and philanthropy

Ujiri is the founder of Giants of Africa, a program focused on youth development through basketball. In 2026, he took on a leadership role as president of the Dallas Mavericks.

Key facts

  • Ujiri is a Canadian professional basketball executive and former player.
  • He was born on July 7, 1970, in Bournemouth, England, and was raised in Nigeria.
  • He became president of the Toronto Raptors in 2013 and later vice-chairman of the club.
  • Under his leadership, the Raptors won their first NBA championship in 2019.
  • He joined the Dallas Mavericks as team president in 2026.
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Canadian context

Ujiri is a prominent Canadian sports executive and was a central figure in the Toronto Raptors’ 2019 championship run, a major moment in Canadian basketball history.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Masai Ujiri?
Masai Ujiri is a Canadian basketball executive and former player, known for serving as president of the Toronto Raptors and later the Dallas Mavericks.
How old is Masai Ujiri?
He was born on July 7, 1970, which makes him 56 years old.
What team does Masai Ujiri manage?
As of 2026, he is the president of the Dallas Mavericks.
Where is Masai Ujiri from?
He was born in Bournemouth, England, and was raised in Nigeria.
What is Masai Ujiri's net worth?
A reliable, verifiable net worth figure was not provided in the available sources.
How many championships has Masai Ujiri won?
He has won one NBA championship as an executive, with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masai_Ujiri
    Supports: Birth date, Canadian identity, early life, and 2026 Dallas Mavericks role.
  2. Bloomberg Philanthropies — https://www.bloomberg.org/people/masai-ujiri/
    Supports: Raptors leadership roles, 2019 championship, and executive career timeline.
  3. Olympics.com — https://www.olympics.com/en/news/masai-ujiri-equality-future-africa-winning-olympism
    Supports: Birthplace, upbringing in Nigeria, and Raptors championship context.
  4. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48676414/sources-mavericks-hire-ujiri-president-alternate-governor
    Supports: Dallas Mavericks appointment and championship-executive background.
  5. CBC — https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/masai-giants-of-africa
    Supports: Raised in Nigeria, African background, and Giants of Africa.
  6. Basketball-Reference — https://www.basketball-reference.com/executives/ujirima99x.html
    Supports: Toronto Raptors executive tenure dates.