Top 3 African-born players in Toronto Raptors franchise history

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 20: Pascal Siakam #43 and Precious Achiuwa #5 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 20: Pascal Siakam #43 and Precious Achiuwa #5 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
January 23, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) controls the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

1. Pascal Siakam

Did you really expect someone else? Siakam is not only one of the best players from Africa that ever suited up in Raptors colors, but he’s one of the unquestioned top players in franchise history. Even with a standout 2022-23 ahead of him, his name is plastered all over the record books.

Siakam ranks seventh in points and rebounds, eighth in assists, and tenth in steals and blocks. The only other player in Raptors history who is in the Top 10 in all of those categories is Chris Bosh. Siakam is going to climb further up these lists in his next campaign.

Pascal Siakam continues to get better for the Toronto Raptors.

Siakam wears a ton of hats for the Raptors, as he is sometimes asked to be a primary offensive catalyst, perimeter defender, and rim-runner all within the span of a few quarters. The fact that the Cameroonian sensation can pull that off with so much aplomb says a lot about his mindset.

Siakam is making a legitimate case for a jersey retirement at some point. His accomplishments in a Raptors uniform are only going to grow more numerous. It’s still mind-boggling to think about how late Siakam picked up basketball in his home country and how rapidly he improved.