Masai Ujiri posts emotional farewell message to Raptors fans: ‘You will win again in Toronto'
Masai Ujiri
said goodbye to what he called his 'hometown' with a heartfelt message:
'Toronto, Canada, I love you,' the
recently deposed president
and vice-chairman of the
Raptors
said in
a YouTube video
released by his
Giants of Africa
charitable foundation Monday morning.
The nearly six-minute soliloquy gave Ujiri a chance to touch on all the salient points of his 12-year career running the Raptors.
He spoke of the enduring 'bond' with Raptors fans and the 'access to space, wellness and collaboration' his foundation has created around the world, and said that he was 'proud that our Raptors staff reflected the talents of every woman.'
Ujiri and the Raptors
'parted ways' about 10 days ago
in a shocking end to a reign that saw Toronto, among other things, win its first NBA championship.
The Raptors parted ways with Ujiri last week, ending 12 years at the helm of the organization.
'This bond we will share forever … You made this big city feel home,' Ujiri said. 'As a city, as a nation, as a team, we became champions.'
And he said they will become champions again.
'My dreams of a second championship are alive and well and that pursuit will surely carry on as my next chapter continues,' he said. 'The Raptors family, to our fans, every single player that's worn the uniform with passion and pride, I love you and I thank you.
'This team has reached the summit once before. With strong leadership in place, the Raptors will continue to climb that mountain back to an NBA championship.
'You will win again in Toronto.'
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