Raptors president Masai Ujiri tests positive for COVID-19
Posted December 9, 2021 7:17 pm.
Last Updated December 10, 2021 12:10 pm.
Toronto Raptors President and Vice Chairman, Masai Ujiri, has tested positive for COVID-19.
Ujiri — who is fully vaccinated and recently received a booster shot — was a breakthrough case as he tested positive after attending an in-person gala honouring Giants of Africa.
“It was organized in compliance with all current public health guidance – everyone who attended had to show proof of vaccination and to wear masks when not eating or drinking,” Ujiri said.
“Unfortunately, after the gala, we learned of positive COVID-19 tests among our guests — and even though I am fully vaccinated and have received a booster shot, I subsequently tested positive.
Raptors announcement on Masai Ujiri testing positive for Covid. pic.twitter.com/AFEuZAFmwq
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 10, 2021
Ujiri says he is resting at home and following safety protocols, confirming he will self-isolate for ten days and monitor symptoms.
The Raptors executive also encourages everyone who attended the event to get tested and self-isolate. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was among those in attendance.
“We don’t want to live in fear of this virus, but COVID is a persistent enemy,” Ujiri added. “Together, we’ll defeat it.”
Ujiri is being praised by some health experts for his announcement.
“This is excellent role modeling,” said Dr. Irfan Dhalla, Vice-President at Unity Health Toronto, in a tweet. “Masai Ujiri is triply vaccinated, it looks like he got tested because he was a contact, he’s following public health guidance, and he’s emphasizing we’ll defeat Covid together. He’s right.”
Sportsnet’s Michael Grange says no players or coaches were at the event, but did say that Ujiri met with some scouting and front office staff earlier this week.
“They are obviously being tested and isolating until they get a satisfactory number of negative tests returned,” said Grange.
The Raptors cancelled their practice due to what the team called health and safety protocols. The Indiana Pacers also cancelled their practice on Thursday.
Toronto is expected to play Friday night at Scotiabank Arena.
The league says approximately 97 per cent of NBA players are fully vaccinated and over 60 per cent have received a booster shot.
In August, Ujiri signed a long-term contract extension to remain with the Raptors. In 2003, Ujiri founded Giants of Africa to discover basketball talent. The first Giants of Africa camp was held in Nigeria.
The Raptors dealt with a significant COVID-19 outbreak last season that saw Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam and head coach Nick Nurse, among others, test positive for the virus.
After dozens of games were postponed last season due to COVID-19, no games have yet to be rescheduled this season, despite several players being sidelined for health and safety protocols. Chicago Bulls star and former Raptor DeMar DeRozan is currently out due to COVID-19 protocols.
With files from the Canadian Press
