Raptors president Masai Ujiri claims he was targeted by a cop court-side after 2019 NBA Finals because he's 'Black' but says the only reason he is getting justice is because of his 'success'

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri released his first statement after filing a countersuit against an Alameda County police officer who he sats 'fabricated' details surrounding an altercation that took place following Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. 

Ujiri first thanked people for their 'care and consideration' in expressing their disgust with the video after the footage was released of the June 13, 2019 incident in Oakland against Golden State. 

'The video sadly demonstrates how horribly I was treated by a law enforcement officer last year in the midst of my team, the Toronto Raptors, winning its first world championship,' Ujiri said in the statement, shared on the team's Twitter page.

'It was an exhilarating moment of achievement for our organization, for our players, for our city, for our country, and for me personally, given my long-tenured professional journey in the NBA.'

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The president said that even in one of his proudest moments, it was almost ruined by the experience, which he said happened because he was Black

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Ujiri demanded justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain in his statement

'Yet, unfortunately, I was reminded in that moment that despite all of my hard work and success, there are some people, including those who are supposed to protect us, who will always and only see me as something that is unworthy of respectful engagement. And there's only one indisputable reason why that is the case -- because I am Black. 

Alameda County deputy Alan Strickland previously sued Ujiri for $75,000 in federal court, claiming the 50-year-old NBA executive assaulted him following Toronto's victory over Golden State. 

Bodycam footage and security video showed the deputy actually grabbing Ujiri and shoving him as he shouted obscenities at him. 

Ujiri continues his statement by highlighting how his status grants him certain privileges when it comes to securing justice in the ordeal. 

'What saddens me most about this ordeal is that the only reason why I am getting the justice I deserve in this moment is because of my success. Because I'm the President of a NBA team, I had access to resources that ensured I could demand and fight for my justice,' he said.

'So many of my brothers and sisters haven't had, don't have, and won't have the same access to resources that assured my justice. And that's why Black Lives Matter.' 

The president concluded his statement by demanding justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain.   

Ujiri filed his countersuit in US District Court, including the potentially exculpatory video footage showing it was the Alameda County, California, police officer who instigated their altercation following Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. 

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has filed a countersuit in US District Court in Oakland that includes potentially exculpatory video footage showing it was the Alameda County (California) police officer who instigated their altercation following Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. Alameda County deputy Alan Strickland (left) previously sued Ujiri (right) for $75,000 in federal court, claiming the 50-year-old NBA executive assaulted him following Toronto's victory over Golden State in the NBA Finals on June 13, 2019

Security video and Strickland's police body cam footage included in the countersuit filed Tuesday shows Strickland first grabbing Ujiri by the jacket and yelling at him to 'back the f*** up' as he attempted to display his credential 

Alameda County deputy Alan Strickland previously sued Ujiri for $75,000 in federal court, claiming the 50-year-old NBA executive assaulted him following Toronto's victory over Golden State in the NBA Finals on June 13, 2019 in Oakland. 

Security video and Strickland's police body cam footage included in the countersuit filed Tuesday shows the deputy first grabbing Ujiri by the jacket and yelling at him to 'back the f*** up.' Ujiri was trying to walk onto the court to celebrate the Finals victory with the Raptors players.  

The team released a statement Tuesday saying the security video proves Ujiri 'was not an aggressor, but instead was the recipient of two very violent, unwarranted actions.'

Ujiri's counterclaim also includes statements from three eyewitnesses who say he did not punch the deputy, although the video does show him shoving Strickland in retaliation. 

The NBA executive's attorneys also dispute one of Strickland's supporting eyewitnesses, who claimed to be standing near the arena's north tunnel at the time of the incident. The altercation is proven to have taken place near the south tunnel. 

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Raptors president Masai Ujiri (pictured) was attempting to walk onto the court to celebrate with Toronto players when he was stopped by Alameda County deputy Alan Strickland. In this picture, Ujiri is seen just after being pushed by Strickland following Game 6 of the NBA Finals

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Strickland (left) stopped Ujiri (near right) following Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, sparking a physical altercation between the two (right). Newly released video shows that it was Strickland - and not Ujiri - who initiated contact. Strickland is seen grabbing Ujiri's jacket and shoving him

In the countersuit, which includes the NBA and the Raptors' parent company as plaintiffs, Ujiri's attorney calls Strickland's initial claims 'a complete fabrication.'  

Strickland, who was part of the security detail for Game 6, has stated that Ujiri did not show proper credentials to enter the area of the court and struck the deputy in the face and chest when asked to produce them.

However, the footage contradicts several of Strickland's claims.

Not only was it Strickland, and not Ujiri, who initiated contact, but the Raptors president is seen holding his credential in his hand — a fact that was already established by photographs available in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

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Ujiri is pictured following Game 6 of the NBA Finals with a credential in his right hand  

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As NBC Bay Area reported at the time, witnesses claimed Ujiri (dark grey suit) pushed sheriff's deputy Alan Strickland twice, striking him in the face at one point. Video from the immediate aftermath of the incident did not show Ujiri making any physical contact with police, but a man can be seen desperately preventing one officer from getting to Ujiri. It is not clear who that man is, but he did appear to be wearing a credential. There is not any evidence that Ujiri instigated the altercation 

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The Raptors released a statement Tuesday, reiterating their support for president Masai Ujiri 

'After being shoved and cursed at, Mr. Ujiri did not respond aggressively towards Mr. Strickland,' read the countersuit. 'Instead, he calmly asked Mr. Strickland why he had pushed him, informed Mr. Strickland he was the Raptors' President, and held up his all-access arena credential to show it to Mr. Strickland. Rather than trying to communicate with Mr. Ujiri, Mr. Strickland chose to dismiss Mr. Ujiri's claim that he was the Raptors' President and ignore the all-access credential Mr. Ujiri was trying to show him. Mr. Strickland then forcefully shoved Mr. Ujiri a second time.

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Strickland (circled) is pictured after shoving Ujiri following Game 6 of the 2019 Finals 

'Only after being unjustifiably told to 'back the f*** up' and shoved twice did Mr. Ujiri show any response and return a shove to Mr. Strickland's chest. Mr. Ujiri's defensive response was a reasonable and justified reaction to Mr. Strickland's use of unnecessary and excessive force.'

Strickland and his wife, Kelly, have been seeking a jury trial and damages greater than $75,000, along with medical and incidental expenses (both accrued and in the future), loss of earnings, prejudgment interest, property damage and legal fees. Strickland claimed he 'suffered injury to his body, health, strength, activity and person, all of which have caused and continue to cause Plaintiff great mental, emotional, psychological, physical, and nervous pain and suffering.'

Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern did initially request that Ujiri be charged with batter of a peace officer for striking Strickland's jaw and shoulder. Ultimately the Alameda County District Attorney's Office declined to press any charges against Ujiri, who was celebrating his first NBA title in the aftermath of that Game 6 win.

In his countersuit, Ujiri says Strickland falsely tried to portray him as 'the initial aggressor and an inherently violent individual.' 

The Raptors continued to support Ujiri in a team statement released Tuesday: 'We are mindful this remains before the courts, but we have always maintained that the claims made against Masai are baseless and entirely without merit. We believe this video evidence shows exactly that — Masai was not an aggressor, but instead was the recipient of two very violent, unwarranted actions.'