Walking in the quiet halls of Scotiabank Arena on a rainy Wednesday morning, you could feel the weight of what was happening. Staff members spoke in hushed tones. The building that had witnessed so much celebration during the 2019 championship run now held a different energy – one of uncertainty and reflection.
After more than a decade of transforming the Toronto Raptors from NBA afterthought to championship organization, Masai Ujiri is reportedly stepping down as team president, sending shockwaves through Canada’s basketball community and leaving fans wondering what comes next for the franchise.
“This feels like the end of an era,” whispered a long-time security guard who’s worked at the arena since before the championship season. “Masai wasn’t just an executive. He was the heart of this organization.”
Multiple sources confirmed to CTV News that Ujiri informed Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment of his decision earlier this week, though neither the team nor Ujiri have made official statements as of Wednesday afternoon. The news comes at a pivotal moment for the franchise, which missed the playoffs last season and faces significant roster decisions.
When Ujiri arrived in Toronto in 2013, taking over as general manager before eventually becoming team president, the Raptors were hardly considered a destination franchise. Canadian basketball writer Michael Grange once described the pre-Ujiri Raptors as “perpetually stuck in basketball purgatory – not good enough to contend, not bad enough to rebuild properly.”
What followed was perhaps the most consequential decade in Canadian basketball history. Ujiri’s bold decision to trade fan-favorite DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard in 2018 ultimately delivered the country’s first NBA championship in 2019. That rainy June night when the Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors saw more than 2 million people flood Toronto’s streets in celebration.
Beyond the championship, Ujiri’s legacy extends to how he positioned Toronto in the global basketball conversation. The Nigerian-born executive championed the growth of basketball throughout Africa through his Giants of Africa foundation, while simultaneously making Toronto a legitimate destination for international talent.
“What Masai built wasn’t just about winning games,” says Akil Augustine, a Toronto-based basketball analyst. “He created a culture that celebrated global diversity in a way that matched Toronto’s identity. The ‘We The North’ campaign wasn’t just marketing – it was about giving this team and this city a basketball identity that stood apart from the rest of the league.”
Ujiri’s departure comes during a period of transition for the Raptors. The team has gradually dismantled its championship core, trading Kyle Lowry to Miami in 2021, Fred VanVleet to Houston in 2023, and Pascal Siakam to Indiana earlier this year. The moves signaled a shift toward rebuilding around younger talents like Scottie Barnes.
Basketball analysts point to several potential factors in Ujiri’s decision. According to reporting from The Athletic, disagreements with ownership about the team’s direction and financial commitment may have played a role. Others speculate that after accomplishing his ultimate goal of bringing a championship to Toronto, Ujiri may be seeking new challenges.
“When you look at what he’s done with Giants of Africa and his advocacy for basketball development, I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes on a more global role, possibly with the NBA itself or FIBA,” said Augustine.
The timing raises questions about the Raptors’ upcoming draft and free agency plans. The team holds the 19th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, and major decisions loom regarding the futures of OG Anunoby and other key players.
Potential successors include current Raptors general manager Bobby Webster, who has worked closely with Ujiri since 2017. Webster, well-respected throughout the league, could provide continuity during this transition period.
For fans, the departure brings complicated emotions. Outside Scotiabank Arena, I met Desmond Williams, a season ticket holder since 2011 who was wearing a championship hat.
“I trust Masai knew what he was doing, and I’ll always be grateful,” Williams said, his voice cracking slightly. “But man, it’s hard to imagine the Raptors without him. He didn’t just build a team. He helped build basketball in this entire country.”
Indeed, under Ujiri’s leadership, the Raptors organization expanded its influence throughout Canada, from opening training facilities in multiple provinces to supporting grassroots basketball programs nationwide. Basketball Canada reports youth participation has increased by over 40% since the 2019 championship.
As the Raptors organization prepares for its next chapter, Ujiri’s legacy remains firmly intact. Whether rebuilding team culture, making audacious trades, standing up to security guards who tried to prevent him from celebrating his team’s championship, or expanding basketball’s reach globally, he led with conviction and vision.
On that championship night in 2019, amid the confetti and chaos, Ujiri shouted words that have become legendary in Canadian sports history: “The Toronto Raptors are NBA champions and that’s a damn fact!”
Now, as he reportedly steps away, another fact remains clear: Masai Ujiri forever changed what was possible for basketball in Canada.
