The Indiana Pacers have really benefited from the three-team trade last season, picking up a solid player in Pascal Siakam. Even with the team’s ups and downs, his attitude is positive. As he put it, “I think we just got to play better. This is the NBA, there’s times when you go through periods where you’re not playing your best, but as long as we recognize the things that we’re not doing well and trying to fix them, I think we’ll be okay.”

Though his recent form is not league-leading, Pascal’s commitment to the team is evitable with his 20 points and 7 rebounds per game. With the upcoming NBA All-Star Weekend, the 30-year-old power forward is set to make his first appearance as a Pacer. Though this year will mark Siakam’s third appearance, Siakam seems excited for the opportunity. “I love being here and being part of this team. Being named an All-Star for the first time as a Pacer means a lot, and hopefully, there will be more,” he shared.

While his on-court experiences are well documented, it’s Pascal’s background that makes his story much more interesting. Pascal Siakam was born on 2 April 1994 in Douala. The largest city in Cameroon. So, his nationality is Cameroonian. Coming from a diverse Central African country, it’s hard to mention his ethnicity. Growing up with siblings who played for NCAA Division I colleges, the world of basketball did not fascinate young Siakam.

Without any experience of the game, Pascal attended a basketball camp in his hometown set by Luc Mbah a Moute. His athletic qualities led to him being chosen for the Basketball Without Borders program run by the NBA and FIBA. With Luc as a mentor, Pascal moved to the U.S. to pursue professional baseball, and since then the rest is history.

Who are Pascal Siakam’s parents?

Before Pascal Siakam moved to the United States to pursue basketball as a career, he was enrolled in St. Andrew’s Seminary in Bafia as a preteen upon his father’s wish. However, he later decided to not move his path towards becoming a Catholic priest. Pascal’s dad, Tchamo Siakam, who was the mayor of the town of Makenene, hoped one of his sons would make it to the NBA.

Tragically, Tchamo passed away in a car accident before he got to see Pascal play professionally. But he definitely plays with his dad in his heart, keeping that dream alive. Pascal’s mom, Victoria Siakam, has been his rock. Even though not much is known about her, it’s clear how much she means to him. After he made it big, he bought her a house. He mentioned that after his dad died, they didn’t really have a place to call home, so this was a huge deal for them. It shows how close they are and how important family is to him.

Pascal went on to become one of the greatest Cameroonian players in NBA history. As he continues his journey in the league, he is grateful for his experience with the Pacers. “The support that I’ve had since I’ve been here has been amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever had an organization show so much support from the top to the bottom. It’s been awesome. I’ve been grateful for it, and it would mean a lot to represent the Pacers out there on All-Star weekend.”

Are you excited to see Pascal Siakam play?