NBA: Raptors’ Pascal Siakam Gets ‘Special’ Message After All-Star Selection

The All-Star Weekend just got spicier. Former Most Improved Player of the Year Pascal Siakam continues his stellar rise in the NBA. The fourth-year player was thrilled when the league announced the participants for the 2020 All-Star game.

Dubbed as Spicy P, the 6 foot 9 forward from the Toronto Raptors has proven to be a winner. Although his route to success is different from the highly recruited stars, Pascal Siakam nonetheless made the most out of his opportunity.

He was drafted late in the first round as the 27th pick of the 2017 NBA draft. In his rookie season, he was sent to the D-League and had to prove his talent in the development ranks. This didn’t stop him from performing as he led the Raptors 905 to the D-League championship where he was named MVP.

In the recent NBA playoffs, he was pivotal in the Toronto Raptors’ championship run as he averaged 19 points and 7 rebounds for the entire post-season. It was his game 1 performance of 32 points 8 rebounds and 5 assists that proved that he was made for the big moments.

His team showered him with praise when the announcement was released that he will be starting in the All-Star game. As reported by TSN Raptors reporter Josh Lewenberg, head coach Nick Nurse was glad of Pascal Siakam’s selection, sending a message that he’s proud of what he’s accomplished. “It’s special,” Nick Nurse said. “This is a kid who two years ago was, I mean I think he started the season as our 11th man and he played in the D League the year before. That’s a hell of a rise up.”

Pascal Siakam grew up in Cameroon and had aspirations to become a Catholic Priest. But when his basketball talent was discovered there was no stopping the rise of the future All-Star starter. He shared that it’s been unbelievable as he reflects on the journey that he’s been through – wishing that his father was here to see the major milestone.

The All-Star Weekend will be held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The game will be played on Sunday, February 16, 2020.