Dallas Mavericks name Ujiri, a Nigerian native, as team president

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The Dallas Mavericks have appointed Masai Ujiri as President and Alternate Governor, handing one of basketball’s most respected executives the task of rebuilding the franchise into a championship contender.

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Ujiri will oversee all aspects of basketball operations, including roster construction, player personnel and scouting, while working with team leadership to define the organisation’s long-term direction.

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Governor Patrick Dumont left no doubt about the ambition behind the appointment. “The Dallas Mavericks are committed to being a world-class organisation with a strong culture and focused on winning championships. Masai Ujiri is one of the great basketball leaders of this generation and his addition to our franchise is a critical step in meeting our goals,” he said.

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Ujiri arrives in Dallas with over a decade of front office leadership at the highest level, most recently as Vice Chairman and President of the Toronto Raptors, where he guided the franchise to its first NBA Championship in 2019.

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Before Toronto, he served as executive of the Denver Nuggets and was named NBA Executive of the Year for his work there.

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He began his career in the league as an international scout with the Orlando Magic and the Nuggets, before rising steadily through the ranks to become one of the most influential figures in the sport.

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Ujiri said he was taking on the role with a clear sense of purpose. “This is a franchise with a proud history, passionate fans, and a commitment to winning. I look forward to working with our players, coaches, and leadership team to build something that reflects that standard and competes at the highest level. We will win in Dallas,” he said.

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Away from basketball, the Nigerian-born executive founded Giants of Africa in 2003, a nonprofit organisation focused on empowering young people across the continent through basketball, education and leadership development. In 2025, he was named a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocate in recognition of his broader global impact. Earlier in 2026, he also joined the ownership group of WNBA side Toronto Tempo.

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The Mavericks, who won their only NBA title in 2011, have been seeking fresh direction following a turbulent recent period, and the appointment of Ujiri signals a clear intent to restore the franchise to contention.

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