Nigeria’s Masai Ujiri steps down as Toronto Raptors president

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TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 2: President of the Toronto Raptors Masai Ujiri speaks during media day on October 2, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

Nigerian-born Masai Ujiri has officially stepped down from his role as Vice President and Chairman of NBA franchise, the Toronto Raptors.

Ujiri, who was in the final year of his contract, first joined the Raptors as General Manager in 2013. He famously guided the team to their historic first-ever NBA championship title in 2019.

His departure comes barely 24 hours after the conclusion of the NBA Draft and just days before the free agency window opens on Monday.

The 55-year-old basketball executive was born in the United Kingdom to a Nigerian father and a Kenyan mother, and spent most of his early years in Nigeria.