26-year-old Pascal Siakam, also known as ‘Spicy P’, is a testament to the power of determination. As a power forward for the Toronto Raptors, he won the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2019 — the same year that he helped lead the Raptors to their first ever NBA championship. He was named an All-Star for the season.
Born in Douala, Cameroon, Siakam was originally intending to become a Catholic priest, but was discovered playing at a local camp and was selected to attend the Basketball Without Borders camp. After performing well he travelled to the US, and was eventually picked up by New Mexico State University, during which time he was named Western Athletic Conference player of the year.
Siakam joined the Toronto Raptors in 2016 and rose up through the ranks, helping his team win in the NBA G league (the championship’s official minor league), before becoming a valued bench player and then a star player in the Raptors’ run to league success. Analysts suggest that after his incredible breakout season, the only way for Siakam to go is up.
Siakam is regularly featured in online clips, appearing on the GQ series ‘Things I Can’t Live Without’ and on Toronto Raptors teammate Serge Ibaka‘s rare delicacy food channel, How Hungry Are You.
Tags: Africa, Basketball, Cameroon, NBA, Toronto Raptors
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