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TORONTO, ON - JUNE 17: Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri looks on during the Toronto Raptors Victory Parade on June 17, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. The Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors 4-2 to win the 2019 NBA Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 17: Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri looks on during the Toronto Raptors Victory Parade on June 17, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. The Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors 4-2 to win the 2019 NBA Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Raptors' Masai Ujiri on Incident with Police Deputy: 'I Respect Authority'

Joseph Zucker
Jun 25, 2019

Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri addressed his incident with police at Oracle Arena immediately following the Raptors' Game 6 win over the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals.

"I'm confident in who I am as a human being," Ujiri said Tuesday, per The Athletic's Eric Koreen.

According to Koreen, Ujiri added he will wait for police to wrap up their investigation to comment further.

"I respect authority and I'll wait until that happens," he said.

Theย Alameda County Sheriff's Officeย allegedย an officer had approached Ujiri when he was walking on the court to ensure he had the proper credentials. Ujiri then got into a shoving match with the officer and struck him in the face.

A lawyer representing the officerย told reportersย the officer suffered a concussion and a jaw injury and was considering filing a lawsuit against Ujiri.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office confirmed to theย Globe and Mail'sย Robyn Doolittleย that Ujiri informed the officer who he was and supplied official identification. However, he allegedly failed to supply the proper credential necessary to access the court.

Although police spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said Ujiri hit the officer underneath his jaw, Doolittle wrote three eyewitnesses claimed "they never saw Mr. Ujiri strike the officer's face."

Authoritiesย continue to lookย into whether the Raptors front-office executive should be charged with misdemeanor battery. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed toย TMZ Sportsย the league is investigating the claims as well.

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