'Toronto, Canada, I love you' Masai Ujiri says goodbye to Toronto
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'Toronto, Canada, I love you. Country that welcomed me. The city that became home. This bond we share will last forever,' Ujiri says as the video begins with Ujiri walking onto the court at Scotiabank Arena.
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'As I look back at more than a decade of heartfelt moments, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. For my family, our incredible players, the dedicated staff, and the Raptors fans. Now a new chapter begins, but your love will always be with me,' Ujiri says.
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'Basketball brought me here, but beyond this beautiful game, we are always connected. And for that, I am so thankful.'
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The nearly six-minute-long video shows Ujiri connecting with various Raptors players, staffers, fans, Canadian and international dignitaries and more.
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He is shown embracing his predecessor Bryan Colangelo, who first brought Ujiri to Toronto in 2008 before Ujiri left to helm the Denver Nuggets two years later, Jeff Weltman, who helped get him to Denver the first time and then served as his right-hand man before leaving to be boss in Orlando, Bobby Webster, Ujiri's protege and the team's current head of basketball operations, long-time coach Dwane Casey and many others.
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Of course there are appearances by Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas, Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, Drake and plenty more too.
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'You made this big city feel like home, because it is home,' Ujiri says while footage of Toronto's championship parade, various Giants of Africa events and Raptors engagements are shown featuring Ujiri and his wife and children.
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'It's the only home all of My children have known. Their friends and community have helped shape them who they are, and they'll have lasting impact on who they will all become. My wife, Ramatu, has built roots here that will last a lifetime.'
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Ujiri's return in 2013, when he was hired by former Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president Tim Leiweke is shown, with Ujiri saying then: 'I'm home.'
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