Raptors' Ujiri: 'I really question' lack of diversity in NBA hirings

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri wants to see more NBA front office roles filled by minorities and African-Americans.

"Somebody told me there's only one minority (public relations) director in the NBA. How is it that we only have this few when it's a predominantly black league in terms of players?" Ujiri said during a recent appearance on "The Woj Pod" with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

"I really question it and I think we generally in sports ... we have to really look at this and it comes from all different levels. It's not just hiring a diversity and inclusion officer now ... we also need more minorities and more black people in higher positions, too, and there are many that deserve to be in higher positions if we look the right way."

Ujiri's stance echoes one of the priorities of the newly formed players' coalition in calling for more black executives and coaches around the league.

The 49-year-old also touched on the topics of police brutality and systemic and institutional racism, emphasizing that such issues are not confined to the U.S.

"This thing has erupted where now we have to talk about it and we have to confront it because you know what, it's there," Ujiri said. "There's no dancing around it anymore. Even in my organization, even in Canada, we're not immune to it."

As for how society can work to eliminate racism going forward, Ujiri noted the need for introspection.

"One of the questions we have to ask ourselves in this whole thing is 'Who are we? Who are you as a person?'" Ujiri said. He added: "Who are we as human beings, who are we? That's why I raise that question so much - because it's a time to ask."