Masai Ujiri brings tremendous knowledge and extensive global connections to the Nuggets as he begins his first season as executive vice president of basketball operations.
Ujiri, who was named to the position on Aug. 27, 2010, spent the previous three years with the Toronto Raptors after joining the team as director of global scouting in 2007. He was elevated to assistant general manager, player personnel, in 2008 and worked closely with team president and general manager Bryan Colangelo. His duties included overseeing Toronto’s scouting and personnel department, talent assessment and related data management.
Ujiri is no stranger to Denver, having worked as a Nuggets scout from 2003-07. He was the team’s director of international scouting during the 2006-07 season. Prior to joining the Nuggets, he worked as an international scout for the Orlando Magic.
A native of Nigeria, Ujiri is well-connected in the international basketball scene. He played professionally in Europe for six years, with stops in Belgium, Germany, England, Greece and Finland. He has scouted all over the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.
Ujiri also has managed and coached the Nigerian junior and senior national teams.
Along with former Nuggets great Dikembe Mutombo, Ujiri has been tireless in his efforts to promote and develop the game of basketball throughout Africa. He is the founder of the Giants of Africa Foundation, which launched the Top 50 and Bigman camps in his homeland. Ujiri also has served as the director of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program since 2002.
Ujiri was introduced to basketball at age 13 and quickly fell in love with the game. He went on to play at Bismarck State College and Montana State University-Billings (formerly Eastern Montana College).