Pascal Siakam.Photo illustration The Globe and/Getty Images
Pascal Siakam exits the court after a recent workout at the Toronto Raptors practice facility and takes a seat for our conversation, first guzzling a bottle of water in one big swig.
The 29-year-old is an eight-year NBA player whose backstory remains as fascinating today as it was when the Raptors drafted him 27th overall in 2016. He picked up basketball in his late teens in Cameroon, left home to play at a Texas high school, then earned a scholarship to New Mexico State University. While he was away, his father Tchamo – a man who dreamed of seeing one of his four sons play in the NBA – died in a car crash.
Siakam had been playing the sport for just seven years when he became an NBA champ with the Raptors in 2019. Today the forward dubbed Spicy P is the only rotation player left from that championship run.
He’s a central star for rookie head coach Darko Rajakovic, who is implementing a whole new system in Toronto. The Raps are off to a 2-4 start, and it’s hard to discern if the franchise is going for it or rebuilding. Siakam’s contract is set to expire after the season, so the two-time NBA all-star could hit the open market next summer.
I’m happiest when I’m spending time with my family.
What’s your greatest fear?
I try not to fear a lot of things. I’m a big believer that things happen for a reason. But I’ll say I don’t like deep waters. I wouldn’t want to go deep-sea diving or anything like that.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I’d say accomplishing my dream, and my family’s dream – my dad’s dream – of playing in the NBA. To me, that’s probably the biggest. For people like me, from Cameroon, that doesn’t really happen often.
Who is a man you admire?
My dad has obviously been the most important man in my life. I think of everything that he’s done and sacrificed for me to be here today.
Who is a woman you admire?
My mom. Easy one. Hard worker, and always holding the family down, doing everything. And now with my dad gone, she’s there for all of us.
Do you have a standout childhood memory?
My dad took my whole family to South Africa on vacation. That’s definitely my favourite childhood memory ever. It was my first time being on a plane, first time travelling. It was awesome.
What’s your greatest indulgence?
I probably spend the most money on travelling. Yeah, that’s my thing. I really don’t buy a lot of expensive stuff. But I do travel a lot.
You had a big trip this summer?
Yeah, I did Europe – Rome, France, Belgium, Austria. Also I did the Cayman Islands a little bit. And I went back home to Cameroon, too, so a good mix. If being with my family is my happiest moments, travelling would be second. It’s right up there. I want to travel to as many countries as I can, and I want to go with my family or a good friend.
What’s a trait you dislike in others?
I don’t like it when people say they will do something and then they don’t do it.
What’s a trait that you dislike in yourself?
I can be a little anti-social. But actually, I don’t think that I dislike that. Like being in the NBA and having so many eyes on you – once I’m out of that, I just want to be with family and friends. I don’t want to do much.
If not a pro basketball player, what occupation might you have pursued?
Pro soccer player for Real Madrid.
Which athlete has had the most influence on you?
I’d say growing up, it was Didier Drogba. He was one of my favourite players. I wanted to play soccer and he was the model for me.
Is there someone you’ve not met who you still want to meet?
I would say Ed Sheeran.
What is it you most dislike?
Cucumbers.
Really?
I don’t like pickles or cucumbers. Hate them.
What’s your greatest regret?
I don’t regret many things. I just live my life the way I feel like it should be lived and I take any opportunity and I just live with the results.
Who would be in your dream pick-up game?
What, basketball? I don’t even know.
You’d rather play soccer?
Oh yeah, yes with Cristiano Ronaldo, that would be awesome.
What frustrates you?
I like certain things done certain ways and if they’re not done that way, it frustrates me. Especially in my line of work, as a basketball player, my routine – when my routine is messed up, I really don’t like that.
Which basketball players have had the most influence on you?
I never really watched basketball before I started playing basketball. Once I got into the game, into the NBA, yeah, I loved my vets that I had: Kyle [Lowry], DeMar [DeRozan], Patrick Patterson. They were great vets and they definitely taught us a lot. Just watching them over the years, I learned so much. There were so many different personalities there and they all had different attributes that made them who they were, that were important to being pros. So I feel like I’ve got a little bit of all of those guys. What is this – my eighth year? You go around and you see things, and seeing those guys having a routine early on made me feel like I needed one.
What’s a personality trait you wish you possessed?
I don’t know. I like who I am. There’s not one I wish for. I feel like all the qualities that I have, I think are great. I think I’m a good person.
What’s the hardest thing in basketball?
It’s how consistently you’ve got to do things in the NBA. It’s like an everyday thing. It takes a toll on your body when you’re travelling. You have to take care of your body. For me, the goal is to be the best in March, April, May, June.
Is there a skill that was hardest to learn?
Shooting is always something that you’ve got to continue to work on. I feel like it would be, for me, the hardest thing, because I think in terms of athleticism and all those things, I feel I was gifted with those, they come naturally. But shooting is something I’ve really got to work on. Obviously though, you have to work on everything, always.
How would you describe this year’s team?
A lot of hard workers, people that want to continue to get better. We’ve got different personalities, guys that want to show what they’re made of, who want to show themselves.
What’s your relationship with your new coach?
It’s a good relationship.
So what do you think of him? What does he bring that’s different?
I think maybe, a little bit more communication. I just think he’s a really good person.
This is an interesting year for lots of reasons – you’ve heard all the talk. ‘Is Siakam going to sign an extension? This team is going to go as Pascal Siakam goes.’ How do you feel about all of that?
I just feel like this is a good opportunity. Obviously, I’ve got to continue to get better. We didn’t have the season that we wanted last year. This is an opportunity to improve. Everything is new, so we’ve all got to learn.
MONTREAL – Canadian National Railway Co. told employees this week it plans to relocate its operations in Jasper to near Hinton, Alta., about 100 kilometres away.
In a memo sent to employees in the fire-ravaged town, the company said it’s aiming to increase efficiency by minimizing train stops between Edmonton and Blue River, B.C., which sits across the Rockies.
CN plans to close its Jasper bunkhouse and build a crew change facility east of Hinton, with workers slated to clock in at the new site starting in September 2025, according to the document obtained by The Canadian Press.
“CN has made the decision to implement operational changes to improve network fluidity,” regional vice-president Nicole James said in the memo.
The union representing rail workers criticized the relocation, which affects about 200 employees, though no layoffs are expected.
“This is another devastating blow to the town of Jasper, after this year’s catastrophic wildfires. Rail is one of the largest industries in Jasper, after tourism, and CN’s move will cripple this community even further,” said Paul Boucher, president of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.
“And for the workers who’ve already lost so much — some even their homes — this is a truly cruel blow.”
Union spokesman Christopher Monette noted that most residents or their spouses must work in town to qualify to live there under Jasper National Park’s residency rules. The company has told the union it will apply for an exception for the workers, he said.
CN spokeswoman Ashley Michnowski says the railway is committed to supporting employees through the transition and keeping them updated.
“These types of changes take time to fully plan out and implement. That’s why one of our initial steps was to have this discussion with our employees as well as advising the town of Jasper,” she said in an email.
A wildfire ripped through Jasper in July, destroying a third of the mountain town and displacing many of its 4,800 residents.
The blaze also caused smoke damage to the CN bunkhouse, which the company says it has worked to restore since it was allowed to re-enter the community with contractors on Aug. 16.
Engineers and conductors have been reporting for work in Hinton, roughly an hour away, since the wildfire.
With roots as a fur trade outpost, Jasper launched as a railway town in the early 20th century after tracks built by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway — CN’s predecessor — paved the way for the municipality.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings made another investment this week in a young standout, signing Moritz Seider to a seven-year contract worth nearly $60 million.
The Red Wings announced the move with the 23-year-old German defenseman on Thursday, three days after keeping 22-year-old forward Lucas Raymond with a $64.6 million, eight-year deal.
Detroit drafted Seider with the No. 6 pick overall eight years ago and he has proven to be a great pick. He has 134 career points, the most by a defenseman drafted in 2019.
He was the NHL’s only player to have at least 200 hits and block 200-plus shots last season, when he scored a career-high nine goals and had 42 points for the second straight year.
Seider won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2022 after he had a career-high 50 points.
Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is banking on Seider, whose contract will count $8.55 million annually against the cap, and Raymond to turn a rebuilding team into a winner.
Detroit has failed to make the playoffs in eight straight seasons, the longest postseason drought in franchise history.
The Red Wings, who won four Stanley Cups from 1997 to 2008, have been reeling since their run of 25 straight postseasons ended in 2016.
Detroit was 41-32-9 last season and finished with a winning record for the first time since its last playoff appearance.
Yzerman re-signed Patrick Kane last summer and signed some free agents, including Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year contract worth $9.5 million after he helped the Florida Panthers hoist the Cup.
Veterans Tyson Beukeboom and Karen Paquin will lead Canada at the WXV 1 women’s rugby tournament starting later this month in the Vancouver area.
WXV 1 includes the top three teams from the Women’s Six Nations (England, France and Ireland) and the top three teams from the Pacific Four Series (Canada, New Zealand, and the United States).
Third-ranked Canada faces No. 4 France, No. 7 Ireland and No. 1 England in the elite division of the three-tiered WXV tournament that runs Sept. 29 to Oct. 12 in Vancouver and Langley, B.C. No. 2 New Zealand and the eighth-ranked U.S. make up the six-team WVX 1 field.
“Our preparation time was short but efficient. This will be a strong team,” Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. “All the players have worked very hard for the last couple of weeks to prepare for WXV and we are excited for these next three matches and for the chance to play on home soil here in Vancouver against the best rugby teams in the world.
“France, Ireland and England will each challenge us in different ways but it’s another opportunity to test ourselves and another step in our journey to the Rugby World Cup next year.”
Beukeboom serves as captain in the injury absence of Sophie de Goede. The 33-year-old from Uxbridge, Ont., earned her Canadian-record 68th international cap in Canada’s first-ever victory over New Zealand in May at the Pacific Four Series.
Twenty three of the 30 Canadian players selected for WXV 1 were part of that Pacific Four Series squad.
Rouet’s roster includes the uncapped Asia Hogan-Rochester, Caroline Crossley and Rori Wood.
Hogan-Rochester and Crossley were part of the Canadian team that won rugby sevens silver at the Paris Olympics, along with WXV teammates Fancy Bermudez, Olivia Apps, Alysha Corrigan and Taylor Perry. Wood is a veteran of five seasons at UBC.
The 37-year-old Paquin, who has 38 caps for Canada including the 2014 Rugby World Cup, returns to the team for the first time since the 2021 World Cup.
Canada opens the tournament Sept. 29 against France at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver before facing Ireland on Oct. 5 at Willoughby Stadium at Langley Events Centre, and England on Oct. 12 at B.C. Place.
The second-tier WXV 2 and third-tier WXV 3 are slated to run Sept. 27 to Oct. 12, in South Africa and Dubai, respectively.
WXV 2 features Australia, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales while WXV 3 is made up of Fiji, Hong Kong, Madagascar, the Netherlands, Samoa and Spain.
The tournament has 2025 World Cup qualification implications, although Canada, New Zealand and France, like host England, had already qualified by reaching the semifinals of the last tournament.
Ireland, South Africa, the U.S., Japan, Fiji and Brazil have also booked their ticket, with the final six berths going to the highest-finishing WXV teams who have not yet qualified through regional tournaments.
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team WXV 1 Squad
Forwards
Alexandria Ellis, Ottawa, Stade Français Paris (France); Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Courtney Holtkamp, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); Julia Omokhuale, Calgary, Leicester Tigers (England); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., College Rifles RFC; Sara Cline, Edmonton, Leprechaun Tigers; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England);
Backs
Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., CRFC; Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Toronto Nomads; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que, Stade Bordelais (France); Mahalia Robinson, Fulford, Que., Town of Mount Royal RFC; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Paige Farries, Red Deer, Alta., Saracens (England); Sara Kaljuvee, Ajax, Ont., Westshore RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2024.
