TORONTO RAPTORS

At New Mexico State University, it was a whole new world for Pascal Siakam. He had arrived from his native land of Cameroon as a total stranger, his English was fair, his friends were new, but he sure could play the global game of basketball.

Greg Heirar was an assistant coach with the men’s varsity back then when Siakam made the Las Cruces scene in 2015 and Chris Janis was in his seventh season as head coach.

“You could see all the talent he had,” Heirar said in regard to Siakam. “He was first getting into basketball, but he was learning fast. He could run the court, bang the boards, hit from outside, dish out assists, and with one big step, could make his way to the basket and stuff the ball.”

At 6-foot-8 forward at about 210 pounds than, he was a freshman already noticed by the National Basketball Association. His sophomore year, he led the Aggies in scoring, rebounding, assists, shot blocks, and his attitude mixed right in. At the end of the season, the conference placed him on the first team, and he remained there until his graduation brought pro ball a-calling.

“He was chosen in the first round by Toronto,” Heirar said, “the 43rd pick I think. I recall him calling us after he first arrived in Toronto, kind of got lost, had to become accustomed to the food and the people in Canada.”

But the Raptors were right in his corner, and he got along just fine with the team, its fans, and the city on the other side of Niagara Falls.

“Heck, I miss him already,” Janis said, “but from day one he was quite a keeper, and will make a dandy NBA player.”

Sure has. Siakam has led the Raptors in scoring, rebounding, and shot blocks since his initial season. He also played solid defense and his quick hands brought steals.

“Great player to coach, to have on your team, and we’re happy to have him up here,” said Toronto head coach Nick Nurse. “First one at practice, last one to leave, excellent team leader.”

Nurse added that Siakam, born on April 2, 1994, and now 28, is also a gift-giver, enjoys that, never hesitates to sign his autograph around the city, is a real peoples person, and a big-time basketball player.

“He had this one game last year,” Nurse said, “when we were down by 21 and he came out of a time out by tossing in six straight jumpers that included three from beyond the ark, then added back-to-back 3s, and four slams, and we were back in the game. It was a home game and the fans loved it.”

The die-heart Raptors supporters had their biggest night after Toronto in 2019 won its initial National Basketball Association championship. The city erupted with joy, had several parades, and plenty of loud cheers for Siakam when he appeared.

“Real good people,” he said, “and when I was asked to speak at one of the parades, I smiled, took hold of the mic and just said what was in my thoughts. I do miss Las Cruces and New Mexico State, but now I’m over the border here and that’s also wonderful.”

Currently, No. 43 leads the team in scoring at 22.8, in rebounding at 8.5, in assists at 5-3, and in blocks with five per game. That’s been his standard average, and career-wise, he’s been putting in 18.3 points a game, 7.8 in rebounds, 4.4 in assists, 3.2 in steals, 4.2 in blocks, and flashing big smiles.

“The ring, the 2019 NBA championship ring,” Siakam said, “is the most expensive championship ever given out, that’s what we’ve been told, and you’ve got to see it to believe it. Now we’re hoping for another one.”

In 2019, Siakam signed a four-year $13,000 million contract. He recently returned to the sidelines after recovering from an adductor strain that occurred on Nov. 6.

No doubt, the all-time number one professional basketball player from Cameroon and the Land of Enchantment is the same guy, no one close — Pascal Siakam!