Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri is under investigation for an altercation with a sheriff’s deputy at Oracle Arena after Game 6 of the NBA Finals, reports say.
According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Ujiri attempted to walk onto the court without a credential, and when a sheriff’s deputy tried to stop him, Ujiri shoved him twice — the second time allegedly striking the deputy in the face.
NBC Sports Bay Area posted a video of Ujiri struggling to get onto the court after the Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, though the video does not clearly show a shove or punch.
#BREAKING: Sheriff’s deputy reportedly pushed and struck in the face by a man believed to be a Toronto Raptors executive after Game 6 of the #NBAFinals at Oracle Arena, @ACSOSheriffs says. https://t.co/fobdK9iWEq pic.twitter.com/a4X0IysY5Z
— Kristofer Noceda (@krisnoceda) June 14, 2019
This comes hours after the news that the Washington Wizards are interested in pursuing Ujiri to be their new general manager. ESPN reported the team is preparing to make Ujiri a “staggering” offer that could include ownership equity in Monumental Sports and Entertainment.
Ujiri, who’s likely to win his second NBA Executive of the Year award, is seen as the architect of the Raptors’ first NBA title.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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