After Jared Sullinger went down with an injury early last season, the Raptors’ power forward depth dwindled. And when rookie Pascal Siakam was forced to start for much of the year, fan optimism halted — the season outlook was bleak. However, Siakam wasn’t going to let Toronto down. Growing up, he faced real adversity, including the death of his father. With unwavering confidence, Siakam played tenacious defense. Soon, he became the newest Raptors’ heartthrob, complete with the relentless hustle of Jerome Williams. After going 23-11 during his tenure as a starter, he instilled hope that the Raptors may live to see an extended post-season run once more.
Player Preview 2017-18: Is Pascal Siakam ready for more?
