Advertisement - scroll for more content
Justin Trudeau: Masai my friend, thank you for your inspiring leadership and dedication to the Raptors. No one will forget that incredible 2019 championship run and your passion for the game. You’ve shown not only our youth in Canada but around the world and in Africa through Giants of Africa, the power of sport and education. Looking forward to seeing what you do next!
Michael Grange: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Raptors president Masai Ujiri join forces to commemorate first National Day Against Gun Violence:
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Raptors president Masai Ujiri join forces to commemorate first National Day Against Gun Violence: pic.twitter.com/X1whFqsm9v
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) June 1, 2023
Josh Lewenberg: Masai Ujiri just spoke for 45+ minutes. On his way out: "I'm going to call Trudeau now and tell him we've got to play (in Toronto next year)."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided to bring some star power from the sports world to his game plane in Africa this week, as he pursues support for a seat for Canada on the powerful United Nations Security Council.
Advertisement
He is travelling with three of his cabinet ministers but the celebrity element goes to Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri, who Trudeau invited to join the delegation. Ujiri was raised in Nigeria, and played professional basketball in Europe before becoming a player scout and executive in the NBA. Ujiri, whose foundation Giants of Africa uses basketball as a means to educate and enrich the lives of African youth, was planning to travel to the continent to promote his own work, but he joined the Canadian trip after Trudeau asked him to come.
“I have relationships with leaders here and anyway we can help, anyway I can help, it’s a big part of making the world better,” Ujiri said. He said he has already had several conversations with Trudeau and with Ahmed Hussen, the federal minister for families, children and social development, about how he can use his work as an ambassador for sport to help. Hussen is also on the trip.
"I want to thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government, U.S. and Canadian law enforcement, U.S. Senator Ed Markey, the Celtics, the NBA and my managers for working diligently to make my Christmas game against the Raptors possible and ensuring my safety there," Kanter writes in the Globe. "And, on Christmas night, I will play in my first game as a Celtic outside the U.S. when I take the court against the Raptors."
The Celtics play in Toronto on Christmas Day. Kanter wants to go. And he’s planning to reach out to a certain Canadian politician for some help. “I have a phone conversation with Justin Trudeau,” Kanter said. “So, that’s gonna be very exciting.” Yes, that Justin Trudeau. The prime Minster of Canada. “So, I’m literally gonna ask, like, ‘Hey, I’m coming to your country. Is it OK for me to come?’ ”
Advertisement
Justin Trudeau: Sad to see you go, @Kawhi Leonard & @Danny Green! Thank you for helping the @Raptors bring home our first NBA championship. The whole team inspired a new generation of Canadian basketball fans and talent.
After losing a friendly wager over the NBA finals, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) gave Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a basket of chocolates and wine. Pelosi presented the gifts Thursday afternoon on Capitol Hill, congratulating Trudeau and the Raptors, who were “so great that they were able to win over a great championship team, the Golden State Warriors.”
Justin Trudeau and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are betting on the NBA Finals, with the prime minister putting bagels and beer up against wine and chocolate.
Ahead of the game, Pelosi, who is from San Francisco and an ardent Warriors fan, says she’ll send Ghirardelli chocolate, California wine and a smattering of almonds and walnuts from her home state should Golden State fail to win yet another title. Trudeau says in a statement that the chocolate and a glass of California wine will “pair nicely with the Raptors’ first NBA title.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement