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[Saba Sports News] Pascal Siakam isn’t taking anything for granted in what’s become an inspiring NBA journey.
The Indiana Pacers forward was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP after serving as the team’s most consistent performer in their series win over the New York Knicks.
While some believed Tyrese Haliburton had a strong case — with many even calling his MVP snub surprising — it was Siakam who earned five of the nine votes to take home the award.
Haliburton, who came into the postseason labeled the NBA’s “most overrated” player, put together a breakout run that drew national attention. But while Haliburton stole headlines, Siakam quietly anchored the Pacers with steady play on both ends of the floor.
On Saturday, Siakam showed humility when asked what the award meant to him.
“I know I’m not the guy everyone talks about all the time, and that’s fine,” Siakam said.
“I really don’t care about that. I’m just a kid from Cameroon who came to the U.S. at 18 and gave everything to the game. I work every day. I don’t cheat the work. Good games, bad games — I’m always in the gym. I care about basketball, and I want to be the best I can be.”
Siakam’s basketball story is remarkable. He was discovered by former NBA player Luc Mbah a Moute at age 17 despite having little formal basketball experience. That led to an invite to the “Basketball Without Borders” camp in South Africa, where Masai Ujiri — then a Raptors executive — took notice. Ujiri later drafted Siakam out of New Mexico State in 2016.
Nearly 15 years later, Ujiri was visibly emotional as he reflected on Siakam’s journey from Cameroon to conference finals MVP.
Before finding basketball, Siakam had been on track to become a Catholic priest — but instead, he’s become a blessing to two NBA franchises.