58 toronto58 life Ujir MASAI the powerhouse raptors presidentdidmorethan December 2019 just secureannbatrophy. hehelpedus see by trevor cole toronto for what ofwinners itis:acity / photograph by markianlozowchuk

photograph by contributors name tk December 2019 toronto life 59 himself. torturing likes Apparently, is something he does periodically throughout the year as a as year the throughout periodically he does something is to 7p.m.— 7a.m. tea from than more fasting—nothing Daily food. solid any taken has Ujiri days since For five another, been it has months. in session boxing first his is summer, abusy this after No wonder. bit,” he admits. alittle For one thing, “I’m struggling different. something is here doing is 49-year-old Ujiri the What itself. to life clinging aman like bag aheavy off he’s hanging through, Halfway afight. movementbody to mimic footwork and introduces trainer his while he has, everything it giving minutes, for 30 times or 20 15 combo each He repeats combinations. out punch calling room the she moves around as hands on her wears trainer his mitts thick the pounds Ujiri him, around music throbbing Afrobeat playlist of Nigerian his gloves, boxing 12-ounce in Now, neck. encased his hands his nylon to hoodie a camo-patterned zipped and shorts donned he room change the In Suburban. Chevy drove up a black in Ujiri Chicago, from on adelayed flight landed just having ago, minutes Not 20 of west Bathurst. Street on King facility training why. it’s moment, At the not clear We’re K-O, Studio in abox-fit 60 toronto60 life Listen, we can all agree on the value of a good, hard workout. hard of agood, value on the agree all we can Listen, December 2019 he is trying to help the Raptors win. Raptors to help the trying he is asit-up from jabs position, throwing crunches, of boxing a series through now, players. Right grimaces about his Ujiri decisions as better make help him might that insights gaining also He was workoutshis to hours. two increased sometimes players, Ujiri for his building were fatigue and pressure when the playoff run, the During tired.” they’re when how think to see they he says, “I’m trying this,” through Iput myself players. “When for the ordeal exhausting an is travelling, and practising of playing, grind itsrelentless with season, NBA An team,” says Ujiri. the upway ofwith keeping is.) always it almost Ramatu; wife, by his grilled tilapia be likely tonight,” (It hefood says. will to eat wait can’t real “I trainers. Raptors by one of the concocted nutrients, afew other and cayenne, maple syrup vinegar, of forapple lemon, days cider solely on a“juice” subsisting now, cleanse, like intense amore Periodically, he undergoes Christian). is he says (Ujiri Muslims,” the “Like exercise. spiritual

Why does he do this? It’s for his players. “I tell them it’s my them It’s tell “I players. he do this? for does his Why I know what you’re going through. through. going you’re what Iknow saying. he was you, with I am years later, it did he years championship. Six about winning a talked immediately he the Raptors, over took Ujiri When

photograph by getty images it clear to him, unofficially, that they would give him anything anything him would give they that unofficially, to him, it clear who made , of the owners by the wooed now team owned. trophy his O’Brien Larry Tiffany-made the show them and friends his and parents his to see to Nigeria Ramatu with he travelled And Obama.) “my guy, Barack of Kenya; and president Kenyatta,” the Kagame; at three: least up are for but achat, there call he can world or former leaders to say how current many declined (Ujiri Kagame. Paul President friend, his to visit Rwanda in briefly off Hestopped adirector. he is of which Without Borders, NBA’s the youths, and program, for outreach hopeful global camps basketball runs which of Africa, Giants foundation, own his causes: of two support in countries to African eight travelled he Then restaurant. Francisco aSan at Steak, Epic morning the into celebrated team his and Ujiri night, That a championship. won years for six he’d running team been basketball when the career of his pinnacle the he achieved California, Oakland, in mid-June, workouts. in night boxing onLate a Thursday his from Let usLet consider For a while, in the aftermath of his achievement, Ujiri was was Ujiri achievement, of his aftermath the For in awhile, the unusual summer that kept Ujiri kept Ujiri that summer unusual the joy, he looked haunted. From her seat in the stands, Ramatu Ramatu joy, stands, the in seat her From he looked haunted. with giddy when he have should At been a time happened. by what on TV: shaken had scene was post-game Ujiri the charges. to press not itsdecision announced it finally for until four months, Office Attorney’s District County Alameda the and by police review and of investigation amatter were ensued that scuffle of the details players. The his to with celebrate to court attempted to get the he as deputy sheriff’s azealous encountered Ujiri triumph, in arms his waving began KawhiLeonard over and Oakland in cloud. legal oppressive an under living was he that fact the summer: key of Ujiri’s element eventful other the given especially But wanted, it’s tohere. be nice always get he couldn’t nothing offering was Washington home, and he calls city the in good is life because overtures the resisted he only would leave He Toronto properties—if behind. other NHL’s various the and Capitals Washington Wizards, the owns that company the in stake ownership an he wanted—including One thing that was immediately clear to anyone clear who watched immediately was that thing One On June 13, seconds after courtside officials declared Game 6 6 Game declared officials courtside after seconds June 13, On December 2019 toronto life 61 and cream leather, where images of Barack Obama and Nelson Nelson and Obama of Barack leather, images where cream and brown in furnished office narrow sits Ujiri’s large, monitors, computer of about 20 by aring aided are discussions draft it.Done. needed team the Entertainment and Sports Maple Leafs told Ujiri because exists centre This analysis. shot for close every track can court of the walls on the sensors computerized while section, to every access control scanners other.the Fingerprint along coaches one side and along executives highest-ranking the to going court of the views with property, beachfront like it are surround that offices The court. practice enormous an lies heart Place. At its at Exhibition Times to Medieval sits next which OVO Centre, rights—the Athletic naming the bought workout now and dubbed—since facility practice a $37-million it Us he says. gave too.it, and goosebumps,” me it for Toronto. saw claimed “I when Ujiri Impact, the franchise, soccer city’s by that rejected been It already had Montreal. in based agency Lee Sid by the developed here.” was We North the win to fucking going we are and cold, ofWe’re the not afraid proud of Toronto Canada. of who and we are,”“Being he says. proud it about to being wanted be “I a brand. what in he wanted hearts. to their shame, secret our winter, the held team this “We it.With North,” the with deal to snow, grey told Americans they the with and crusted were streets our howled and played wind Raptors whenThe the at us worst. our weren’t seeing Americans the we thankful were for company, dressed and was city the won, summer; it was Blue But Jays when the before. We of pride. felt had winning abolus with city the he injected process, the it. In he did Then achampionship. about winning immediately talked and respect, not did league took over the ateam of 2013, Toronto spring the in aperson.” “about as whohe Iam said, confident,” authority. am “I he respected insisted Ujiri incident, okay?” Masai “Is her: texting home saw began it from too, and watching members face,” Family him.” she“My says. not husband’s like was face “You Masai’s wrong. was see just could something tell could 62 toronto62 life He’s a winner, for starters. a winner, He’s w determination.and they w they had the most talent. What didn’t possess raptors the Steps away from the Raptors war room, where trade and and trade where room, war Raptors away the Steps from been home has Raptors’ the 2016, abuilder. Since also is Ujiri team he told his he arrived, Ujiri’s When doing. was That Oakland the after weeks about two conference apress In ere a team of M ateam ere December 2019 as resilienceas asai Ujiris asai He arrived in in He arrived where Ujiri grew up, he was called “Bones” and “Mosquito” “Mosquito” and “Bones” up,where called he was grew Ujiri Ujiris. Masai of a team were They determination. and of resilience depths were had they What talent. most the to possess seem didn’t roster. of on the players pick who, ateam It was at first, draft top-14 asingle without it all to win history NBA in team first ethos—the Ujiri’s character-first reflected championship the aRaptor. he is won whether that team The way to determining took it to heart.” would to say me,” of that ateam president “I he says. the that for aback howVanVleet taken to improve. was “I instructions shy Don’t be out Hegave there.’” assertive. told“He me, ‘Be VanVleet he pulled of one end game, At aside. the watching. was tentatively. playing and Raptors the to make Ujiri trying kid new players—VanVleet to assess teams allows undrafted an was that of games NBA’s the series league—a during ago, summer Afew years guard. point star VanVleet, emerging Raptors’ the says talent,” Fred basketball their just than more a person he how is.” genuine you to allows realize that of character level high unbelievably an with himself he carries and character, up picks on people’s “He for about 17 Ujiri years. with friends been State University, at Florida coach who has ciate head basketball asso Jones, ofstudy people,” “He’s cause. says a quick Stan the to of themselves more give ascout’s who Hehas eyewill for those him. to matters Effort religious. than rather spiritual acts two the ers to look prayoverfrequently—“I to God us,” he says—and consid development matters. and roster one, discussing as working heads itsmany hydra, of executive akind like operates which team, front-office small of his desks the among or roving on BlackBerry his talking coaches, players and with meeting moving, be rather would he OVO At the president. named Centre, being after immediately York, North home in he bought his which from and to him ferries adriver as car work his much of his in Hedoes here. time alot of to spend seem doesn’t Ding.” Ujiri “Ding nicknamed Jr., Masai three-year-old six-year-old and Zahara children, two and of Ujiri’s wife pictures with intermingle Mandela I n Zaria, t n Zaria, For Ujiri, a player’s response to that kind of push goes along goes of push kind to that aplayer’sFor response Ujiri, about things little the values “He him. in that players see His prays Ujiri to fasting, addition In of convictions. aman is He h e city in nort in e city so much compassion and he likes to treat to treat he likes and muchso compassion has “He point,” says Ogbe. aturning was Masai “Meeting attracted. they bullies the and crutches, and a wheelchair brace, a leg with coping he was or nine, eight were when they he Ujiri met time the By paralyzed. leg left his and weakened leg right his polio, with afflicted been aball. with Ujiri’s skill than quality to touch deeper on some it seemed because partly and often so phrase the repeated Gideon because partly atto sports, excel he grew it as followed Ujiri of nickname, sort odd An Good.” is Boy “The Gideon: named by afriend too, coined for him, name another was There stick-thin legs. match of his because playmates by his Ujiri’s best friend, Dennis Ogbe, had Ogbe, Dennis friend, Ujiri’s best h ern nigeria ern - - -

photograph by charlie lindsay dreams.” Ujiri dreamed of playing in the NBA, and he would and NBA, the in of playing dreamed Ujiri dreams.” his to “feel began boy the that coach, to the according then, was It Ujiri. was ’80s, early the one of whom, in around, who came kids the coaching started and uprights up basketball set some 1969, in Nigeria in off he stopped had Corps, Peace the in been who’d OBJ.” American “Coach An to as most known Johnson, how to taught Ujiri drive. Ogbe Later, left. his Masai and leg right stronger his with pedalled out Ogbe working by bicycle, asystem which Ujiri’s Scorpio away, share kilometres would many often they was which club, drama To to get their pigeons. Collected kites. flew They ateam. became University. Ogbe and Bello Ujiri Ahmadu of part was that school primary the attend could Ujiri where of Zaria, edge western on the avillage moved to Samaru, when met Ujiri’sboys two family The old. months nine was when Ujiri England, Bournemouth, from arrived had They administrator. ahospital was father, Michael, Nigerian-born adoctor, mother, his was Kenyan-born and Paula, his area; the in most than affluent more was family His Ujiri’s ball. with playing usually were they and rules, the set ball the owned Whoever goalkeeper. the him appointed Ujiri games, soccer during so run, equally.” couldn’t everybody Ogbe As a boy, Ujiri was introduced to basketball by Oliver B. by B. Oliver to basketball a boy, introduced As was Ujiri players in Africa.” That weekend, Ujiri made more than 20 20 than more made Ujiri weekend, That Africa.” in players good was which to sell, he something had and a lot of people hecharmed had “Clearly to Ujiri. know.” to talk wanted all They I didn’t coaches famous from of lots phone calls getting was “I says Thorpe, Soon, Thorpe’s. borrowed he frequently so acellphone, Helacked 2002. in weekend that introductions around. he’d him and introduce there, him meet to stay and aplace to told find Ujiri Thorpe Atlanta. in month following for the Four scheduled was Final basketball’s College him. told you havehave people,” advice?to Thorpe any “First meet Thorpe Did recruitment. help maybewith he could thought players, and a lot Heof knew African he said. basketball, side of business toearlier. involved get the Hewanted in he’d afew met analyst years ESPN and development coach he quit. team, fifth his from bouncing after and years, for six Europe in he playedInstead, professionally foot four, six size. he at lacked anarrow and skill, offensive player, defensively, ascrappy Hewas says. effective but he lacked enough,” far. too he wasn’t good “I adream was NBA But the Dakota. North in college junior then , in school to prep him took ambition moves. His to learn tapes on VHS watch games There is a loaves-and-fishes quality to Ujiri’s way a loaves-and-fishes is with quality There a Thorpe, David he called out future, his to figure Trying In 2003, Ujiri founded Giants of Africa, a group of of agroup Africa, of Giants founded Ujiri 2003, In basketball camps in several African countries African several in basketball camps December 2019 toronto life 63 solid connections with coaches who were interested in the business side of the game. I had to learn trading. I had to learn players he knew. how to talk on the phone to other executives. I learned all that He worked with Thorpe on a document they called Masai’s from .” In 2008, he was made an assistant GM. Sphere of Influence, which showed all the countries where Ujiri Ujiri left his belongings in Phoenix and built a new life in had played or knew people. He used that, and his charm, to land Toronto from scratch, living in the SoHo Hotel. It was during a volunteer international scouting job with the . this first stint with the Raptors that he met Ramatu Barry in The team would give him the credentials to gain access to gyms Washington, D.C., where she sold men’s sportswear at Saks around the world, but promised nothing more. Ujiri grabbed it. Fifth Avenue. They began dating, and she saw how late he For months he travelled across Europe, covering his own worked. One night, she asked why he wouldn’t come to bed. costs, borrowing money from his mother and Ogbe to survive. “Bryan has a big meeting in the morning, so I need to provide He slept on friends’ couches. Used Delta Buddy Passes to get all these numbers for him,” he explained. She said, “Masai, you cheap flights. At the end of a year, deep in debt, he submitted work so hard at night. Why can’t you be the GM?” He looked his expenses to the Magic and received a cheque for $3,000, a at her and laughed. “It’s not that easy,” he said. Ramatu told fraction of what he’d spent. “It broke my heart when I got it,” him that he had to believe in it, and they would pray about it. he says. The position may have cost him financially, but he’d In 2010, Ujiri became GM of the . built equity in knowledge and connections, meeting people He arrived facing an enormous challenge: the Nuggets’ best everywhere he went. At one point, before the start of an NBA player, Carmelo Anthony, wanted out. Ujiri had never made a game at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, he spotted Adam trade in his life, and for his first act, he had to trade the franchise Silver, then the president of NBA Entertainment. He walked star. Ujiri nailed it, getting a return of players from the New up and started sharing his impressions about the league. When York Knicks that a CBS analyst called “tremendous” and Ujiri left, Silver turned to a colleague and said, “Do I know “stunning.” In 2012–13, the Nuggets went 57-25, and Ujiri was him? Who is he?” Today, Silver, now the NBA commissioner, named Executive of the Year. That was when , is one of Ujiri’s closest friends. The effect of talking to Ujiri, he then president of MLSE, came calling. says, was “almost comforting.” A sports executive with a history of winning in Los Angeles, Within a year, Ujiri had won a paid, full-time scouting Leiweke had recently arrived on a white steed to slay the morose position with the Denver Nuggets. He bought a house in Phoenix dragons of mediocrity that had settled in at MLSE. Colangelo’s to be near friends and became known as a guy who went Raptors had missed the playoffs for five straight years and everywhere, attended every event and had a fine eye for talented seemed Leafs-like in their acceptance of losing. Leiweke saw players who were engaged in the game. At about the same time, Ujiri as an agent of change. “He had the same kind of juice and he started his Giants of Africa basketball camps in Nigeria, determination that I did,” says Leiweke. “A desire to be great initially as a way to unearth players with NBA potential. wherever he went.” Leiweke told Ujiri what he wanted him to Four years later, at a pre-draft event in Orlando, someone do—“Change the culture, win a championship”—and he offered tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to see Bryan Colangelo, to chop away the deadwood of the existing front office before president and GM of the Raptors, who wanted to know if Ujiri Ujiri arrived. With his memories of his first stint in Toronto had any interest in working in Toronto. Colangelo, who’d still fresh, Ujiri gave him a list of the people he wanted gone, recently been named Executive of the Year, was basketball some of them executives who had been there for years. “I let 14 royalty at the time. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is Bryan people go in one day,” Leiweke says. “It was one of the harder Colangelo talking to me,’” says Ujiri. He took a job as director days I had there.” of global scouting in Toronto, and for the first time, he worked Ujiri hired , who’d been his boss in Denver, as in an office every day, wearing a suit. “I was like a sponge,” he his executive VP of basketball operations. He added Bobby remembers. “I had to learn the salary cap. I had to learn the Webster and Teresa Resch, who had experience in the league office, and Dan Tolzman, who’d climbed the scouting ladder in Denver. “Those were my guys,” says Ujiri. The only bit of deadwood left over was Colangelo himself. ujiri never watches games Leiweke had given him a face-saving role as president of things-that-had-nothing- from the stands. instead, to-do-with-basketball. Ujiri knew it was hard for his former boss. “You go through he roams. On the road, the emotions of that person losing his job, he’ll sometimes watch on and you feel for him,” he says. But apparently there were no hard feelings on Colangelo’s his phone from the arena’s part. “He wanted me to take the job,” says Ujiri. Three weeks later, Colangelo parking lot resigned and left Ujiri unencumbered.

In person, Ujiri presents an unusual mix of self-assurance and vulnerability. He seems slightly wary of personal questions and skirts negativity

64 toronto life December 2019 66 toronto66 life with him peppered they of about four hours, course the Over raw,” out pretty says “It started Nurse. on edge. were executives The Nurse. Nick coach assistant for job: Casey’s candidate I’ve ever done.” thing hardest “the was him says firing afatherlyfigure, Casey considered who side. Ujiri, coaches’ on the office to large Casey’s Centre OVO side of the executive the Webster from and walked Ujiri to had May, go. In Casey Dwane that ciple dictated year, prin accountable” Ujiri’s them “hold straight second the playoffs for the from swept them Cavaliers James’s Cleveland LeBron after team’s 2018, but In the not defeats. defeatism, its to erase Hemanaged disappointment. crushing and hope rising flutter. soft signature his whole time, the He’s giggling that!” Don’t write I’m playoffs. the kidding! in asses why That’s Write No, I’m wetheir beat that. kidding! him. insolently. story, chin “Fuck juts his for this Ujiri requests to would interview not respond Magic, Orlando of the president Weltman, now the friend close Told his that playfulness. out his It brings for Ujiri. energizing seems widely. Friendship grinning afist, raises he shouts and up. eyes light “DT!” his office, outside his area common into the walking ofsight Tolzman he catches When my boss.” “That’s conviction, with Resch, it.” deserve all they ’Cause opportunity. better,”them me I’ve make given pray they God he “I says. and them, in believe “I he gets. fervent more the staff, about his talks he more the and own, above his of others skills the ranks He accountable. work hold them and them let people, smart hire about.” Webster —Bobby care trust. word the to gravitate style, they leadership of his essence the to unlock try who people know him When knowsfew bounds. abilities leadership for his praise of that, Perhaps because deep. somewhere from it comes he a saysrawif sincerity, has as whatever freely, and smiles and but he swears cling, it might if as team needed it needed team told the MLSE Ujiri facility, beca exists worko and practice R OVOthe Four days later, at Hotel X, the team interviewed the first first the Four days later, interviewed team atthe Hotel X, of mix adizzying were era Ujiri of the years five first The Hesays palpable. of is team front-office for his affection His simple: are leader effective an keys to the being For Ujiri, we know he would that to him things to us bring trusts “He “There’s enormous trust between us.” —Adam Silver between trust enormous “There’s VanVleet —Fred trust.” values “He aptors’ $37-millionaptors’ December 2019 centre, the

u use t - tant coach with the Raptors in 2013, Nurse had spent 11 years years 11 spent had Nurse 2013, in Raptors the with coach tant assis an becoming Before says Tolzman. we interviewed,” guy other any than more championships and winning mentioned way. either for that, boss the Youchemistry. thank can natural or arare had interview for the to prepare doggedly worked either had Ujiri’s team away he came thinking that agility by their amazed so was Nurse ajoke spot. on the them tell him made and of humour he asense had if him asked then seconds, 45 in story life his he recount demanded they round, arapid-fire during At one point, questions. of creative a series Nurse was equally impressive. “I’m pretty certain Nick certain “I’m pretty impressive. equally was Nurse who was wildly popular, for Leonard, popular,for Leonard, wildly who was DeRozan. DeMar player, best have away to trade their they’d To him, get fearlessness. and alism profession drive, talent, who embodied aplayer Antonio’s KawhiLeonard San in saw Ujiri’s team and transplant, a heart needed team the roster.to the clear It was June. in head coach the as announced Hewas morning. next the practice at cards report multicoloured deliver then court, on the a player’s action every would track staff player His accountability. to anew approach to bring He promised he went. about just everywhere awards coach-of-the-year winning league, mental NBA’s the in more several and develop League Basketball British the in coaching Ujiri is good friends with Barack Obama, Obama, Barack with friends good is Ujiri The risk inherent in trading DeRozan, DeRozan, trading in inherent risk The turned attention installed, Nurse With and hosted the former U.S. president at at president U.S. former the hosted and Game 2 of the NBA Finals NBA the 2of Game - - -

photograph by getty images “Whether yo“Whether 68 toronto68 life he is because players’ tunnel the from watching stopped Heeven abox. from watches Rarely stands. the He never sits in never saw. Ujiri which ones, crushing potentially several moment were But what ecstatic to led that 76ers. Philadelphia the 7against Game in ball bouncing beating buzzer- Leonard’s was That itsdemons. off shake it could that different, was team this that signalled that particular one in was but there moments, thrilling followed countless that produced closed. deal when the I may have DeMar.” Kenya in to It about call 5 or 6 a.m. was done. I’m almost her, think “I telling husband her remembers She to bed. going she was announced Ramatu point, certain at a and details, the Webster finalizing night, late into the phoneby on with the Obama’s was half-sister, Ujiri Auma. founded of ayouth centre opening tothe attend Obama with vision.” a championship “is saysvision,” Tanenbaum, “His Ujiri. money trusted holders But the itself. presentation the longer than far was presentation the following discussion the of had plenty questions; board roster. on the The effects possible the and Leonard of acquiring ramifications out Websterfinancial the and spelled Ujiri cussion, dis constant own pitch, by honed their verbal asmooth and way.” spreadsheets Using for hours. They’dstudied prepared avery “in he says, case, their made But Webster Ujiri and player. injured for of an one year DeRozan idea of trading by the (U.S.). million would to jump over just $160 payroll penalty, their tax $25-million the With time. first for the threshold would it push over luxury-tax the Leonard acquiring that enough high was payroll Raptors penalty. The luxury-tax a would (U.S.) incur million but over going $124 exemptions, various by more using spend (U.S). could A team million at $102 capped were payrolls team season, Forcap 2018–19 system. the acomplex salary under operates NBA The intentions. of their work out.” will things very, well-prepared, you if are very believe always “I he says. don’t that,” “I consider at noall. thought says he gave risk that Yet plausible success. as as was Ujiri Disaster obvious. was injuries, with who’d sidelined season previous much spent of the Th they love each other” you sonmy marry going is to re-sign L w It’s his habit to watch each game from various vantage points. points. vantage various from It’s habit game to watcheach his Kenya in were Ramatu and Ujiri happened, trade day the The board MLSE the involved informing preparation of the Part MLSE chairman admits he was alarmed alarmed he was admits Tanenbaum Larry chairman MLSE e 24 games of t games e 24 hile Ujiri w Ujiri hile r dar December 2019 ghter, beca ughter, eonard, he joked, he eonard, h e h u stay or not, as tryingas to istoric playoff run run playoff u se - believe this is happening to again.” us happening is this believe hear, can’t man’s couldn’t “I the he read lips: Ujiri though and something, said of them One at ascreen. staring men he saw two There room. press into the aview gavewhich him corridor, the down he started elevator opened, the When service. cellphone he lost floors, 15 down elevator ride that During push Finals. the Raptors Conference Eastern to the would that win to the celebrate court to to get the wanted He elevator. for he headed the 89–86, leading team his and game the to go in seconds 12 just With office. his in TV ing on the lot. arena’s parking the watch from phone out and take his sometimes he’ll road, the On Bay Street. at 50 office 15th-floor his from half second watch the elevator and the ride then court, the near room video the from of a game part first watch the he’ll Toronto, In he roams. Instead, by fans. badgered constantly As the clock ticked down against the 76ers, Ujiri was watch was Ujiri 76ers, the against down ticked clock the As “I read it!” exclaims Ujiri. “I read his lips saying that!” Then Then that!” saying lips his read “I Ujiri. exclaims it!” read “I Raptors in 2008. They have two kids: six-year-old Zahara Zahara six-year-old kids: two have They 2008. in Raptors Ujiri met his wife, Ramatu, during his first stint with the the with stint first his during Ramatu, wife, his met Ujiri and three-year-old Masai Jr., nicknamed Ding Ding Ding Ding Jr., nicknamed Masai three-year-old and the buzzer sounded. sounded. buzzer the shot before up just sent his and corner right to the raced ball, the received Leonard play resumed, When waited. and man to Tolz next couch on sat the down Ujiri clock. on the left four seconds were There game. layup. Tie Butler aJimmy and by Leonard, throw free one missed one and made Embiid, by Joel throws free two this: was happened had What Ujiri. said happened?” just fuck the “What couch. the from watching was where Tolzman team’s room, the video into woe. Hehurried eyes in over his hand Ujiri demonstrates how the man placed a a placed howman the demonstrates Ujiri The game was stuck in a long timeout. a long timeout. in stuck was game The - -

photograph via facebook the 50 most influential 2019

Ujiri watched the ball rise and fall. He saw it hit the rim and assumed the shot was missed. “I went, ‘Okay, overtime.’ And I got up.” He demonstrates, rising off the white leather couch of his office. “I’m walking out and I see the second bounce. And it dies a little bit. Then the third one dies almost like completely. And I’m like this.” He stands frozen in his doorway. “And I turn to the screen. And Tolzman is sitting on the couch and he too is getting up. And the fucking ball goes in.” A huge smile spreads over Ujiri’s face. “Oh my God.” Through that triumphant year, Ujiri’s family and Leonard’s became closely entwined. According to Ramatu, Leonard’s young daughter, Kaliyah, was so taken with little Masai Jr. that at home she would constantly repeat his nickname. Apparently, at one point Leonard said, “Who the hell is Ding Ding? All my daughter keeps saying in this house is ‘Ding Ding.’” Ramatu also recalls that at the end of the year, while Ujiri was trying to convince Leonard to remain with the Raptors, he joked, “Whether you stay or not, my son is going to marry your daughter, because they love each other.” On the couch in his office, looking out toward the staff beginning work on the new season, Ujiri doesn’t linger on the failures of the summer. He tried hard to convince Leonard to stay, but he implies he didn’t go to extremes. “We were going to be who we are,” he says. “And Kawhi appreciated who we are. He wanted to go home.” Now that Leonard has signed with the L.A. Clippers, and shooting guard has gone to the Lakers, the Raptors are like a tall ship without a main sail. They’ll make do for now and hope the wind blows just right. Their roster will play elite-level defence, and it still has talent. Young power forward seems destined for stardom, and the front office has added potential in new-to-the-league players like Matt Thomas and Terence Davis. It might be enough. It might not. Ujiri insists he’s unconcerned. More than that, he’s excited. “We’re excited about the young players we have,” he says. “We’re excited about the veteran players we have because of what they bring, the winning mentality. I’m excited about our coaching staff. I’m excited about the front-office staff. Man, we have incredible ideas and things we’re going to do, and we are so excited about it.” The way he describes things, it’s hard not to believe in the future Ujiri sees. It’s impossible not to want to be a part of it.

70 toronto life December 2019 December 2019 toronto life 71