Indiana's Surprise Finals Run Spotlights Pascal Siakam's Journey And The NBA's Growing Return On Its African Investment

Forbes

3 days ago

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 31: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates the 125-108 win ... More against the New York Knicks in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 31, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by)
When the Indiana Pacers punched their ticket to the NBA Finals, it was something of a Cinderella story, few had them pegged to go that far. Against the odds, they overcame tough opponents, with Pascal Siakam standing tall at the heart of their breakthrough. Just crowned Eastern Conference Finals MVP after powering the Pacers past the New York Knicks, Siakam has become the emblem of not only Indiana's surprising run but also the broader rise of African talent in the NBA.
The Cameroonian forward's journey is extraordinary. From a chance visit to a Basketball Without Borders camp in South Africa, a detour from his initial path to pastoral school, to becoming a three-time NBA All-Star and 2019 NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, Siakam's rise mirrors the growing impact of the NBA's investments on the African continent.
'I've told Pascal's story so many times over the past two weeks,' NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum shared with Forbes.com and other media in a global call ahead of tonight's tip-off of the Playoffs, reflecting on Siakam's remarkable journey as a powerful reflection of why the league's investments in Africa are more than just developmental.
'Pascal was headed to pastoral school. He would've been the first 6'9" pastor in the world. But he went to BWB because he wanted to see his sister. And it was there that he got discovered.'
'That moment changed everything,' Tatum added. 'He's changed so many lives, going back to Cameroon, contributing his time and resources. It's a wonderful tribute to why we make the investments that we do in Africa. It literally changes lives. And Pascal is a living example of that.'
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 23: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against OG ... More Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 23, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo)
Siakam's success is emblematic of a deeper transformation in the NBA's competitive landscape. With this year's Finals featuring the seventh different champion in seven seasons, the league has entered a new era, one where parity and possibility are just as important as legacy and dominance.
'I think that balanced competition is really good for fans around the world,' said Tatum. 'Going into the playoffs, you could pick any number of teams that could make a run. It doesn't mean dynasties are over, but what we've done with the CBA [Collective Bargaining Agreement]
That parity, symbolised by Indiana and Oklahoma City's runs, parallels the global nature of the NBA's reach today. It's no longer just the big markets or marquee franchises that dominate headlines. The league is becoming more open, more unpredictable, and more representative of the global audience it serves.
Africa is no longer just producing talent, it's shaping the future of the NBA. From NBA Academy Africa to the Basketball Africa League (BAL), the league has been laying the groundwork for sustainable player development, visibility, and local infrastructure. And it's working.
'Last year, Ulrich Chomche became the first NBA Academy Africa player to be drafted,' shared Tatum. 'This year, Khaman Maluach who went to Duke and is
from South Sudan will likely be a first-round pick, maybe even a lottery pick. These players aren't just reaching the NBA; they're impacting the game.'
The pathway is clearer than ever: from BAL exposure and Academy coaching to NCAA success or direct draft entries. Rueben Chinyelu, a Nigerian forward who also came through the Academy and BAL, recently won a national championship with the University of Florida. This is no longer a dream pipeline, it's a reality for a growing number of players across the continent.
College Basketball: NCAA Finals: Florida Rueben Chinyelu (9) in action, cuts down the net following ... More victory vs Houston at the Alamo Dome. San Antonio, TX 4/7/2025 CREDIT: Greg Nelson (Photo by Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X164706 TK1)
What makes this moment even more significant is the NBA's current era of parity. With the league now wide open, talent from non-traditional pipelines, like those emerging from Africa, can not only reach the NBA but contend for titles. The right mix of development, opportunity, and team structure can now lead to playoff success, regardless of where the journey begins.
Few understand this better than Kita 'Thierry' Matungulu, Director of Basketball Operations for NBA Africa, who witnessed Pascal Siakam's rise firsthand.
Pascal Siakam At The Basketball Without Borders Camp Held In South Africa In 2012
'It's terrific to see Pascal Siakam's journey. I've been part of the 2012 camp which Pascal came through,' Matungulu said. 'To see the growth from grassroots to the NBA is an incredible journey and a story of hope. Through the NBA Academy, many young players are progressing to the NBA or top universities. We've made great strides in growing basketball on the continent and look forward to more young Pascal Siakams.'
His words reflect not only the promise but the tangible progress being made. As the league's landscape flattens, the African pipeline is no longer on the margins, it's becoming a central part of the championship conversation. For each rising star, Siakam's path is more than a symbol, it's proof that Africa is not just a source of talent, but a stage for excellence.
The shift in competition has also brought a surge in engagement. This season's playoffs are among the most-watched in recent memory, with the Eastern Conference Final, where Siakam earned MVP honours, drawing the highest viewership in seven years.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 31: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates the 125-108 win ... More against the New York Knicks in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 31, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by)
'We're seeing record numbers across TV, digital, and social media,' said Tatum. 'What's exciting is that market size is no longer the barrier it used to be. Players and teams from so-called 'small markets' are building global audiences.'
That evolution matters for Africa. It means that an African star doesn't need to play in New York or Los Angeles to become a household name. With today's digital platforms and international distribution, fans across the continent can follow their heroes, whether they're in Indiana, Toronto, or beyond.
Even as Siakam and the Pacers battle it out with OKC, his success reverberates far beyond Indiana. Back home, he's known for his community outreach, youth programs, and ongoing engagement in Cameroon. His story, like those of the late Dikembe Mutombo, reminds us that basketball success doesn't stop with a contract, it extends to community upliftment.
'These investments literally change lives,' Tatum said. 'Pascal gives his time and resources back. He's not just a champion, he's someone whose impact is felt well beyond the court.'
That's why the league is investing not only in elite talent but also in creating the ecosystem that allows for long-term success, academies, coaching clinics, media exposure, and league infrastructure.
Pascal Siakam didn't come through a traditional pipeline. He wasn't groomed at an elite U.S. high school or hyped as a can't-miss prospect. His journey began with a camp visit in South Africa and was powered by talent, opportunity, and vision. Today, that vision is taking root across the continent. With the BAL in its fifth season, the Academy producing draft picks, and African-born stars leading franchises into the Finals, the NBA's investment in Africa is no longer experimental. It's essential. And as Siakam laces up for another shot at the title, millions of young Africans will see him not just as a star, but as proof that their dreams have global reach.