Pascal Siakam will stand proudly with a Cameroonian countryman and another ascendant star with African roots at the NBA all-star game this weekend, beacons and role models for generations to come.
It is responsibility the Raptors forward feels, accepts and wants. He needs to show young players that dreams are possible with work and perseverance and opportunity.
He need only point to himself and Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo — the son of Nigerian parents and captain of the all-star team that includes Siakam and Embiid — as proof.
“It means everything.