Pascal Siakam

Pascal Siakam, nicknamed "Spicy P" is a Cameroonian professional basketball player who represents the Indiana Pacers of the NBA. He was the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft.

Hailing from Douala, Cameroon, Pascal Siakam's talent was discovered at a local camp by ex-NBA player Luc Mbah Moute who was then a prominent Cameroonian player playing in the NBA. This encounter would set the stage for Siakam’s journey to NB stardom.

Soon, Siakam caught the attention of Marvin Menzies, the coach of New Mexico State University who convinced Siakam to come to the USA. Soon, Siakam enrolled at the New Mexico State University. After having an injury early on in the season, he was back in the lineup. During his third season for the Aggies, he averaged 20.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. He later on won the WAC Player of the Year award.

In his first season for the Toronto Raptors, Siakam spent much time on the bench. However, he did show flashes of brilliance in the limited game time and played a crucial role in some of Raptors victories. Eventually, he was assigned to their G League team "Raptors 905". His outstanding performances, averaging an impressive 23.0 points and 9.0 rebounds, earned him the G-League Finals MVP as he led Raptors 905 to the G-League championship.

His second year for the Raptors went pretty much similar to his rookie year and went on to cement his place as a productive bench player for Toronto. Entering the 2018-19 season, Siakam was a force to contend with as a two-way player and averaged 16.9 points and 6.9 rebounds for the season. His shooting proficiency increased dramatically. He racked up 44 points in a new career-high against the Washington Wizards, as the Raptors steamrolled their way to the NBA Finals.

In Game 1 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Spicy P dropped 32 points against the Golden State Warriors as the Raptors went on to capture their first NBA Championship with Siakam playing a huge part. He later went on to win the Most Improved Player of the Year award and agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $130 million with the Toronto Raptors.

Siakam's gameplay is akin to a Swiss Army knife. He is someone who can do a little bit of everything at an elite level. He seamlessly contributes to both offensive and defensive facets of the game. Offensively, Siakam attacks the paint with relentless energy and finishes in traffic. His effective mid-range game and 3-point shooting add layers to his offensive arsenal. At the heart of Siakam's offensive repertoire is his signature spin move. Opponents are well aware it's coming, yet the sheer speed and precision with which he executes it makes it nearly impossible to defend. His trademark spin move is a testament to his ability to master the fundamentals while keeping defenders on their toes. Defensively, Siakam is a standout one-on-one defender and a lockdown on the perimeter.

Siakam's accolades speak volumes about his impact on the game. A two-time NBA All-Star in 2020 and 2023, Siakam has also earned All-NBA selections, claiming a spot on the second team in 2020 and the third team in 2022. In the 2022-23 season, he elevated his game even further, averaging an impressive 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.