NBA champion in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors, Cameroonian Pascal Siakam, 28, asserts himself as the offensive boss of his team for his seventh season in the league. The native of Douala confides before facing the New York Knicks this Monday, January 16 (8 p.m. UT), a team against which he has particularly shone this season.
RFI: You scored 52 points against the New York Knicks on December 22. Tell us about this special evening in a career.
Pascal Siakam: It’s something crazy. I was very moved and happy at the end of the match. I thought back to my youth. Imagine a young Cameroonian who one day reaches this level. These are things that don’t happen every day. I am proud to be able to represent Africa and Cameroon thanks to my performances.
You are having your best season statistically. Have you ever felt so strong?
In previous years I had already had the opportunity to do it, but this year it is happening. My team really needs me and I try to do everything I can to help them. I spent a lot of time over the summer working on my game. I thought to myself, “Why not try to be one of the best? “. It’s kind of my goal this season. There are ups and downs, but I do my best. My daily work is starting to pay off.
A second participation in the NBA All-Star Game, which will take place in Utah on Sunday February 19, do you think about it?
Of course, that would make me very happy. As an ambitious player, participating in it means something. However, my priority remains the team. I try to take it as high as possible. It’s my main objective, but if it comes with personal consecrations, I take it.
In June 2022, you were joined in Toronto by Christian Koloko, drafted in 33rd position. What is it like to evolve on a daily basis with another Cameroonian?
This is unheard of. Two young people from Douala in the NBA at the same time, it’s historic. It’s nice to be able to make our country proud. There is a small war between Douala and Yaoundé (Editor’s note: where Joël Embiid is from), so being able to represent our city in this way is something crazy.
What advice do you give to your young team-mate and compatriot?
I repeat to Christian that if he needs anything, I’m here to help him. Every day, I try to stay behind him, to accompany him. I want him to understand that the first step is to get to the NBA, of course, but the hardest part is to stay there. My message is simple: you have to stay focused on the work.
And the third Cameroonian in the NBA, Joël Embiid, do you often talk to him?
Yes, we talk regularly. We are opposed in the Eastern Conference, he with the Sixers (of Philadelphia), and I with the Raptors, but we keep the link.
Rumors lend Embiid the desire to play with the France team. And you, what is your future with the Cameroonian selection?
As I have always said, if the opportunity to play in the selection arises, it will be done with pleasure.
If we imagine you aligned with Koloko and Embiid in particular, Cameroon would have solid foundations…
Yes, it would be nice to see us all playing together with the Cameroon tunic. If that happens, that would be just huge.
You were 16 African players to start the current season in one of the 30 NBA franchises. Is this encouraging for the future?
This is just the beginning. When I arrived in the NBA (in 2016), there were only a handful of African players. Basketball is developing on the African continent. I am thinking in particular of the BAL (the Basketball Africa League, launched in 2020 with the support of the NBA) or the Basketball Without Borders training camps. It is a very good thing that Africa is finally highlighted. The talent is huge there. I also hope to be able to inspire young people on my modest scale and that the numbers will continue to increase in the future.