Masai Ujiri Named Dallas Mavericks Team President

The Dallas Mavericks have officially appointed Masai Ujiri as Team President and Alternate Governor, entrusting one of the NBA’s most respected executives to lead the franchise’s basketball operations into a new era.

In his new role, Ujiri will oversee all aspects of basketball operations, including roster construction, player personnel decisions, scouting, and long-term strategic planning.

He will work closely with Mavericks ownership and leadership to define the organization’s competitive philosophy and strengthen its pursuit of sustained championship contention.

“The Dallas Mavericks are committed to building a world-class organization with a strong culture and championship ambitions”.

“Masai Ujiri is one of the most accomplished basketball leaders of his generation, and his arrival is a major step forward,” said Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont. “We are excited to welcome his leadership, vision, and experience to the Mavericks family.” He added

Ujiri arrives in Dallas with more than two decades of experience in NBA front offices and international basketball development.

He began his career as an international scout with the Orlando Magic before joining the Denver Nuggets, where he rose through the ranks and eventually became Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations.

In Denver, he earned NBA Executive of the Year honors in 2013 after building a 57-win team and transforming the Nuggets into a consistent Western Conference contender.

His most defining tenure came with the Toronto Raptors, where he served as President of Basketball Operations and Vice Chairman.

During his time in Toronto, Ujiri reshaped the franchise into a perennial powerhouse, most notably orchestrating the blockbuster acquisition of Kawhi Leonard in 2018.

That bold move culminated in the Raptors’ historic 2019 NBA Championship—the first in franchise history and the first for a Canadian-based team—cementing Ujiri’s reputation as one of the league’s elite decision-makers.

Beyond the championship, Ujiri built a culture of sustained competitiveness in Toronto, consistently guiding the Raptors to playoff appearances and maintaining one of the league’s deepest and most versatile rosters through strong drafting, international scouting, and player development.

He became widely recognized for his ability to balance short-term success with long-term organizational stability.

Off the court, Ujiri is the founder of Giants of Africa, a nonprofit he established in 2003 dedicated to empowering African youth through basketball, education, and leadership programs.

His global influence in sports development was further recognized in 2025 when he was appointed a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocate.

“I’m honored to join the Dallas Mavericks at such an important moment,” Ujiri said.

“This is a franchise with a winning tradition, passionate fans, and high expectations. I look forward to building a team that reflects that standard and competes at the highest level. We will work every day to bring championships to Dallas.”