Pascal Siakam is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association.
28 Facts About Pascal Siakam
2.
Pascal Siakam is a two-time NBA All-Star and a two-time All-NBA selection.
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Pascal Siakam later helped the Raptors claim an NBA championship in 2019, while winning the league's Most Improved Player Award, becoming the first player to win both during the same season.
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Pascal Siakam was born in Douala, Cameroon, to Tchamo and Victorie Pascal Siakam, the youngest of four brothers.
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Pascal Siakam initially had little interest in basketball in stark contrast to his older brothers, all of whom earned scholarships with the sport to various NCAA Division I colleges.
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Pascal Siakam was discovered as a player at a local camp by Luc Mbah a Moute, whose parents' home in Bafia was about 2 miles from St Andrew's.
7.
Pascal Siakam attended Mbah a Moute's camp for the first time in 2011, a year before graduating from St Andrew's, and he returned to it the following year, after which he was selected to attend the Basketball Without Borders camp.
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Pascal Siakam went from one camp to the next to hone his skills before settling in Lewisville, Texas, and attending God's Academy.
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On 19 April 2016, Pascal Siakam declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final two years of college eligibility.
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On 23 June 2016, Pascal Siakam was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 27th overall pick in the NBA draft, with the franchise signing him to a rookie scale contract on 9 July.
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Pascal Siakam's averages improved from 4.3 points per game to 7.3, from 3.4 rebounds per game to 4.5, and from 0.3 assists per game to 2.0.
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Pascal Siakam drew comparisons to Warriors' forward Draymond Green for such qualities as his rare ability to guard all positions, his shrewd basketball knowledge, and internal confidence.
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In Game 6 of the 2019 Finals, Pascal Siakam recorded a team high 26 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and hit the clinching shot for the title over Draymond Green, He went on to help the Raptors defeat the Warriors in six games and thus capture their first NBA championship in franchise history.
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On 19 October 2019, Pascal Siakam agreed to a four-year, $130 million extension with Toronto.
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Pascal Siakam matched his career-highs in both offensive rebounds and made free throws, and set a new career-high in field goals attempted.
16.
On 23 January 2020, Pascal Siakam was selected to his first career All-Star nod, being named a starter in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, Pascal Siakam became the first player to play in the G-League to start in the All-Star game.
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On November 7,2021, Pascal Siakam made his season debut coming off surgery scoring 15 points on a minutes restriction against the Brooklyn Nets.
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Pascal Siakam finished the regular season averaging a career high in rebounds, assists and steals.
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Pascal Siakam averaged 22.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists in the 2022 playoffs.
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Pascal Siakam became the first player with multiple 30-point triple-doubles in Raptors history.
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Pascal Siakam initially became the first player in league history to miss out on the All-Star game while averaging 25 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists per game.
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On February 10,2023, Pascal Siakam was named an All-Star for the second time in his career as a reserve, replacing the injured Kevin Durant.
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Pascal Siakam posted career highs of 24.2 points and 5.8 assists per game on route to having his best season off his career.
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Pascal Siakam came into the NBA as a raw prospect but over the years has emerged as a high-end two-way wing player with playmaking and scoring ability, playing a variety of roles depending on the needs of the team.
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Pascal Siakam is considered one of the NBA's most versatile players.
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Pascal Siakam is considered one of the best defenders in the NBA.
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Pascal Siakam is known for his ability to guard opposing players from the 1 through 5 positions, and for his efficiency as a rim protector in addition to being an excellent perimeter defender.
28.
When his father died in a car crash in October 2014, Pascal Siakam was unable to attend the funeral because he was waiting for the issuance of a new US visa.