NBA: Toronto Raptors Former Franchise Player Admires Pascal Siakam’s Unparalleled Work Ethic

The Toronto Raptors have been on a tear this season as the defending NBA Champions. They’ve kept the momentum from their historic title run, as they’re second in the Eastern Conference with a 42-15 record. Their historic playoff push last year saw numerous revelations from the team in the north. While Kawhi Leonard spearheaded the campaign to the title, players such as Fred Vanvleet and Pascal Siakam were put into the spotlight.

Siakam, in particular, has blossomed into the face of the franchise. While six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry is still the team’s floor general, the ball is oftentimes expected to also be in Siakam’s hands. The reigning Most Improved Player has seen a major rise in the past few years. Per ESPN, former franchise player DeMar DeRozan offered high praise for the 25-year-old forward. "He was always the first one in the gym," he said. "He always came back to the gym at night. He worked on everything he does now."

The Cameroonian pro was considered to be a late bloomer in the sport as he was groomed to enter the priesthood at a young age. That plan eventually changed when he was discovered through the Basketball Without Borders camp that propelled his basketball career. He was eventually drafted by the Raptors and started his career in the G-League ranks. He worked his way up and was even selected as an All-Star Starter.

With the regular season coming to a close, Spicy P as he is fondly called has shown the potential that he is continuously growing. As development coach Rico Hines shared, Siakam has no boundaries to his improvement and can even reach the top of individual success. "We still don't want to put him in a box. The whole thing now is trying to win the MVP. That's what he wants to do," he shared.

The six-foot-nine forward is always working hard on the court and has developed an all-around game. Here he is having a run with fellow NBA peers in Hines’ offseason training.

Siakam is averaging 23.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting at 46.4% from the field.