New video shows deputy shove Raptors president Masai Ujiri during altercation at NBA Finals
Masai #Masai
Body camera footage released Tuesday of an altercation between Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri and an Alameda County (Calif.) sheriff’s deputy during last year’s NBA Finals appears to show the deputy as the aggressor in the incident.
The footage was released as part of a countersuit filed by Ujiri against sheriff’s deputy Alan Strickland.
In the clips, Ujiri attempts to walk onto the court at Oracle Arena moments after the Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors to clinch the NBA championship last June. Ujiri reaches into his suit jacket to show his team credential when Strickland shoves Ujiri and yells at him to “back the (expletive) up.”
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Warning: Video contains explicit language
Ujiri identifies himself as “the president of the Raptors” and attempts to show his credential, but Strickland shoves him a second time. Ujiri then shoves Strickland before other arena security intervenes and Ujiri is allowed onto the court to join the team.
Strickland filed a federal lawsuit in February alleging Ujiri attacked him “and hit him in the face and chest with both fists.”
Strickland said in the lawsuit that he “suffered, and will continue to suffer, physical, mental, emotional, and economic injuries, including, but not limited to, lost wages, lost opportunity for financial gain, future earning capacity, and past and future medical care and expenses.”
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office announced last October that it would not press charges against Ujiri after Sheriff Greg Ahern initially sought to charge him with battery of a peace officer.
The Raptors released a statement Tuesday night, saying the new video evidence proves Ujiri “was not an aggressor, but instead was the recipient of two very violent, unwarranted actions.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New video shows deputy shove Raptors president Masai Ujiri during altercation at NBA Finals