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Edmonton Journal

Ex-Toronto Raptors star surprises entire restaurant by picking up the tab

Former Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam likes to give back, but he did it in a different way on a recent vacation. Article content While hanging out in Grenada, Siakam felt like some Kentucky Fried Chicken — and it was lucky for all of the customers there, since he took care of all of their meals. Article content 'We don't want attention,' Siakam said on a clip posted to social media when doing a drive through was suggested, but he asked to go inside, though. Article content Article content He was surprised how many people were inside and had to laugh when someone asked if he wanted his chicken 'spicy' (since Spicy P is his nickname). Article content Claiming he hadn't had 'KFC in a long time, probably since college (at New Mexico State),' Siakam's generosity stunned customers inside when a worker told them he was paying for everything. Some were incredulous until told he was an NBA player. Article content Article content 'This is the first time in history that anyone has ever purchased meals for everyone in the building,' a KFC worker said in the clip. Article content P in 🇬🇩 — this is not an ad @kfc — pascal siakam (@pskills43) August 8, 2025 Article content Article content The 2019 champion, who was the team's second-leading scorer, is coming off another big season for the Indiana Pacers, helping lead them to the NBA Finals and a heartbreaking Game 7 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Article content Article content Previously, he has done plenty of charity work through his PS43 program, which holds an annual basketball camp in his native Cameroon, and his Data Dunkers program, which is still held in Toronto and helps students in grades 5 through 12 learn data science skills like coding. Article content Siakam hosted a Data Dunkers event in Toronto in December 2024 at Humber College. Article content 'You do some of these things from your heart and obviously you hope that it has an impact, but just to see the reactions,' Siakam told City TV's Lindsay Dunn. 'One thing I wanted to do when I left was to continue to have that imprint in the community because I grew up here. So it's part of me, part of who I am, it's part of my family. Article content 'To be able to still touch the community while I'm away, and then whenever I get a chance to be here, just making sure I come in and not only show face but just show my support.' Article content 'When I left I wanted to continue to have that imprint on the community. I grew up here, it's part of me it is part of who I am.' @pskills43 on his foundations continued work in Toronto and across Canada. #pacers #Raptors — Lindsay Dunn (@LindsayDunnTV) December 3, 2024