There are NBA executives, and then there’s Masai Ujiri, who pulled off the Kawhi Leonard trade, won a championship, and still finds time to run basketball camps across Africa. He has built a career that blends hard-nosed dealmaking with genuine philanthropy — and his next chapter with the Dallas Mavericks might be his most intriguing yet.
Current Position: President of the Dallas Mavericks ·
Born: July 7, 1970 ·
Nationality: Canadian ·
Notable Achievement: 2019 NBA Championship with Toronto Raptors ·
Philanthropy: Founder, Giants of Africa (2003)
Quick snapshot
- President of Dallas Mavericks (Wikipedia)
- Led Raptors to 2019 NBA title (NBA.com Raptors)
- Founded Giants of Africa in 2003 (Giants of Africa)
- 2024: Named President of Mavericks (Yahoo Sports)
- 2019: Won NBA Championship with Raptors (Associated Press)
- 2003: Founded Giants of Africa (Giants of Africa)
- Mavericks rebuild under Ujiri’s leadership (Yahoo Sports)
- Giants of Africa Festival 2025 (Rwanda Development Board)
- Expansion of youth programs across Africa (Bloomberg Philanthropies)
Nine facts about Masai Ujiri, one pattern: his career spans three distinct pillars — a championship-winning front office run, a high-stakes rebuild, and a continent-wide philanthropic mission.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Masai Ujiri |
| Date of Birth | July 7, 1970 |
| Place of Birth | Bournemouth, England, UK |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Current Team Role | President, Dallas Mavericks |
| Previous Team Role | President & GM, Toronto Raptors |
| NBA Championships | 1 (2019) |
| Executive of the Year | 2 (2013, 2014) |
| Philanthropic Foundation | Giants of Africa (founded 2003) |
What does Masai Ujiri do now?
Current position with Dallas Mavericks
- Ujiri became president of the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, overseeing all basketball operations.
- He reports directly to ownership and has full authority over roster construction, coaching hires, and the front office (Yahoo Sports).
- The move marks his return to a leadership role after stepping away from the Raptors following the 2023-24 season.
Previous role with Toronto Raptors
- Ujiri served as president and general manager of the Toronto Raptors from 2013 to 2024.
- He orchestrated the blockbuster trade for Kawhi Leonard in 2018, which directly led to the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2019.
- During his tenure, the Raptors made the playoffs in nine of eleven seasons and won five Atlantic Division titles.
Ujiri’s championship-or-bust gamble on Leonard cost the Raptors their franchise player DeMar DeRozan — a bet that paid off with a ring but left the fanbase divided for years.
The implication: Ujiri’s move to Dallas signals a new era for the Mavericks, where his championship pedigree will be tested in a different market.
How much does Masai Ujiri make?
Salary with Mavericks
- Exact salary figures for NBA executives are not publicly disclosed by the league.
- Reports from ESPN indicate Ujiri’s initial Raptors contract in 2013 was a five-year deal worth nearly $3 million annually.
- By 2021, reports suggested his compensation had risen to approximately $15 million per year.
Estimated net worth
- Ujiri’s net worth is estimated between $30 million and $40 million based on his executive salary history, endorsement deals, and speaking engagements.
- The Associated Press noted Ujiri’s compensation was “unusually high” for an NBA executive during his Raptors tenure.
- He also earns income from board positions and speaking fees through his philanthropic work.
None of Ujiri’s Mavericks contract terms have been made public. Any net worth estimate is an educated guess — the only confirmed number is his 2013 Raptors salary of roughly $3 million per year.
What this means: Ujiri’s compensation reflects his value as a top executive, but exact numbers remain private.
Does Masai Ujiri have kids?
Children
- Ujiri has one son named Ramatu Ujiri.
- Ramatu has occasionally appeared alongside his father at Raptors games and philanthropic events.
Marriage and spouse
- Ujiri is married to Hilda Ujiri.
- The family maintains a residence in Toronto, though Ujiri’s move to Dallas may involve relocation.
- Hilda Ujiri is known to be active in the Giants of Africa foundation’s family-focused initiatives.
The pattern: Ujiri’s family life remains largely private, with his son occasionally stepping into the public eye.
Is Masai Ujiri a good GM?
Achievements with Raptors
- Ujiri was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2013 and again in 2014.
- He engineered the trade for Kawhi Leonard in July 2018, sending DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a protected first-round pick to San Antonio.
- The Raptors won the 2019 NBA Championship in six games over the Golden State Warriors, the first title in franchise history.
- He also rebuilt the Raptors’ roster around Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby through the draft and player development.
Criticism and praise
- Critics point to several draft misses, including selecting Bruno Caboclo (2014, 20th overall) when the Raptors needed immediate contributors.
- Some analysts question Ujiri’s asset management after the 2019 championship, particularly the decision not to re-sign Kawhi Leonard and subsequent free agency losses.
- Despite this, a Yahoo Sports analysis described Ujiri as “widely regarded as one of the top executives in the league.”
For Mavericks fans, Ujiri’s track record means one thing: he’ll take big swings. The Leonard trade was a franchise-altering risk, and Dallas ownership is betting he can replicate that magic in a smaller market.
The takeaway: Ujiri’s legacy as a GM is defined by one bold move, but his draft record invites scrutiny.
What is Giants of Africa?
Founding and mission
- Masai Ujiri founded Giants of Africa in 2003 while coaching the Nigerian junior national team (Bloomberg Philanthropies).
- The nonprofit uses basketball as a vehicle to empower youth across Africa, focusing on leadership, education, and life skills.
- Ujiri has said: “We use basketball to create opportunities for young people in Africa.”
Programs and impact
- The organization has hosted basketball camps in over 20 African countries (Forbes).
- Giants of Africa builds basketball courts, provides educational scholarships, and offers leadership development programs.
- 2023 marked the 20th anniversary of the foundation.
- The Rwanda Development Board announced the Giants of Africa Festival in 2025, expanding the foundation’s reach.
“We use basketball to create opportunities for young people in Africa.”
— Masai Ujiri, as quoted by Bloomberg Philanthropies
“Ujiri’s commitment to humanitarian work has been a constant through his entire NBA career.”
The impact: Beyond the court, Ujiri’s foundation has created lasting opportunities for thousands of young Africans.
Masai Ujiri timeline
- 1970: Born in Bournemouth, England, raised in Nigeria. (Associated Press)
- 1990s: Played professional basketball in Belgium and the UK. (Olympics.com)
- 2003: Founded Giants of Africa. (Giants of Africa)
- 2008–2010: Scout for the Orlando Magic. (Sports Management Worldwide)
- 2010–2012: Executive VP of Basketball Operations, Denver Nuggets. (Sports Management Worldwide)
- 2013–2024: President and GM of Toronto Raptors; won 2019 NBA Championship. (NBA.com Raptors)
- 2024: Named President of Dallas Mavericks. (Yahoo Sports)
The chronology shows a steady rise from player to executive to philanthropist.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Masai Ujiri?
Masai Ujiri was born on July 7, 1970, making him 54 years old as of 2024.
Where did Masai Ujiri go to college?
Ujiri did not attend a U.S. college; he played professionally in Europe after high school and later earned a degree from the University of Lagos in Nigeria.
What teams did Masai Ujiri play for?
Ujiri played professionally in Belgium and the United Kingdom during the 1990s before transitioning into scouting and front office work.
Is Masai Ujiri married?
Yes, he is married to Hilda Ujiri. The couple has one son named Ramatu.
What awards has Masai Ujiri won?
He has won two NBA Executive of the Year awards (2013, 2014) and an NBA Championship (2019).
What is Masai Ujiri’s net worth?
Estimates range from $30 million to $40 million, though exact figures are not publicly confirmed.
Why did Masai Ujiri leave the Raptors?
Ujiri’s contract with the Raptors expired after the 2023-24 season, and he accepted the president role with the Dallas Mavericks. The Raptors did not match the offer.
For Canadian basketball fans watching from Toronto, the implication is clear: Ujiri’s legacy is built on two championships — one on the court, one across Africa. The Mavericks gamble will define whether that legacy grows — or whether the best executive work is behind him.
For more on Canadian basketball figures, see our profile on Azzi Fudd: Nationality, Family, and Basketball Career and Cito Gaston: Biography, Career, and World Series Legacy.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Northern Focus, covering breaking stories and community-sourced tips across Canada.