2.1m tall, apparently he was destined to become a Catholic priest after being enrolled in seminary by his father, but at 16, an invitation to a Basketball Without Borders camp in South Africa changed his future forever. Since that time, Siakam has been awarded a scholarship to a private school in Texas, and then played basketball at New Mexico State, before joining. be chosen 27th by the Raptors in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft.
He was appointed MVP of the NBA D-League Finals in 2017 even before being able to test himself on the field with the elite team of the Raptors, in the NBA proper. After becoming a major player on the bench in the 2017-18 season, Siakam took a big step forward by winning the title of Most Improved Player of the NBA in 2019, when Toronto charged for its first title.
From seminar in Cameroon to the NBA, Pascal Siakam is a true rising star
© Charlie Lindsay/Red Bull Content Pool
The now characteristic “spin” Siakam advanced his game and helped him to score 32 points alone in the opening match of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, giving the Raptors a valuable opening win on the home court that prepared them for their historic championship win.
During the same season, Siakam also has received the Community Assist Award of the NBA for its work with the Right To Play organization, local schools, charities and that program itself Basketball Without Borders of the league that gave him his first chance. Read on for the interview below to find out more about this incredible player and his equally amazing history.
Basketball wasn’t your first love, it was football. What role did you play? Were you good?
I was a striker. Football is really important in Africa, and it was the first sport I really loved – and still love. I was pretty good. I think I probably would have played professionally if I had stayed there.
Is it fair to say that you were the least interested in basketball among your siblings?
My siblings are all older than me, and they started playing basketball before I really started to care. I guess since they did that, I got more interested in other things, until I went to the Basketball Without Boarders camp.
When did you first play on a basketball team? And what “clicked” at that point?
I first played for a full-fledged team at the age of 17, after joining Basketball Without Borders. I got the chance to go to a private school in the United States, and that was the start of it all.
Can you tell us how you were going to be a Catholic priest? How did it happen?
I entered a seminary to become a priest at the age of 11. After I went to Basketball Without Borders and traveled to the United States to go to school, my dad thought it was a better opportunity for my future, because through basketball I could get a college scholarship. My education and that of my siblings has always been the most important thing for my parents.
2.1m tall and arms to spare: Siakam is tailor-made for the NBA
© Charlie Lindsay/Red Bull Content Pool
How important is your family to you? I understand that they were crucial in choosing the number 43 …
My family is the most important thing to me. I feel really blessed to have the family that I have. My father is dead, but my three brothers, my two sisters and of course my mother are the most important people in my life, and our relationship is very important.
With the number 43 I wanted to honor my family. Four is for my father and my brothers Boris, Christian and James, and three is for my mother and my sisters Raissa and Vanessa. Before each game I beat my chest four times, then three more, and then I point to God.
I believe Africa has the greatest amount of undiscovered talent
In basketball, becoming an NBA champion is the best, so how special was that Raptors season?
It was amazing! Clearly every player wants to win a championship, but it was really special to win for Toronto and all of Canada. Bringing that first trophy home and to our team – even those guys became my brothers for life. We’ve been through a lot together, and it was fantastic to finish the season as the best in the world. I am also grateful to have won a championship early in my career – it makes me want to achieve even more.
On a personal level, how special was it to be joining the All Star Team?
I am incredibly grateful and proud of every recognition and achievement. I work really hard to improve and contribute to a winning team, so it’s great to achieve success.
There have been some fantastic players in the NBA from Africa. Does it seem to you that there are still many hidden talents on the continent, and you hope you can inspire others to go higher and higher?
Certain. I believe that Africa has the greatest amount of undiscovered talent. I am proud to be an African player, and I hope to be an example for the new emerging talents of Cameroon and across the continent. I was lucky enough to win a championship in Toronto, and I hope the visibility granted to me by being an NBA champion will inspire many others.
And back to your career, we’re still in the early stages, so what else do you have left to achieve in the game?
Win multiple championships and make a significant impact through my foundation in Canada and Africa.
