Special Guest Star

On a gray August morning in 2015, Raptors president MasaiUjirihas had enough of an impromptu lockout.

- Anthony Olivieri

He’s outside a weathered basketball gym in Lagos with a camera crew and 55 young men clad in teal T-shirts that read “Nigeria Dreams Big.” Because of the cameras, facility staffers believe there’s money to be made and have barred the doors. Instead of sending staff to deal with them, Ujiri goes himself. What the men in charge don’t know is that Ujiri grew up with their boss.

Born in the U.K. but raised in Nigeria, Ujiri founded this camp, Giants of Africa, in 2003 to use basketball to mold young African boys into men. Since then, as the first African GM and team president in the four major North American sports, his responsibilities have multiplied, but Ujiri is still known for the hands-on care he takes with each of the campers. One moment he’s making sure that star player Sodiq Awogbemi, who left school because of Boko Haram, is getting an education. “Any way we can help,” he says. At another he reminds the boys to respect women. “It’s a problem in Africa and all over the world.”

He’s also known for his passion for the cause, a trait the campers are about to witness once the gates creak open. “Change this f---ing country because this country is bulls--t,” he tells them. “It’s ego, it’s bribery, it’s bulls--t. You must be better. Even if you don’t grow up to be a pro basketball player, you might be the manager of this stadium. You might be the president of the country.

“You might be the president of the Toronto Raptors.”