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NBA: 30 greatest international players in league history

By Daniel Lubofsky

SAN ANTONIO - MAY 09: Guard Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball past Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on May 9, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO - MAY 09: Guard Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball past Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on May 9, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Greatest international NBA players of all time: 25. Pascal Siakam

Pascal Siakam arrived in Toronto as the 27th pick in the 2016 Draft raw and unpolished after two years at New Mexico State. His first two years in the league were more of the same. Flashes of a tantalizing combination of size and agility? Yes, but not enough of them to build the consistency needed to crack the rotation of a Raptors team trying to break through to the Finals.

It was Year 3 that changed the trajectory of Siakam’s career forever. First-time head coach Nick Nurse inserted him into the starting lineup alongside the newly-acquired Kawhi Leonard. Siakam thrived en route to Most Improved honors, posting career-highs in points (16.9), rebounds (6.9) and assists (3.1) while somehow upping his efficiency from the field and beyond the arc to career-best marks as well.

The first significant playoff minutes of his career was supposed to serve as a reality check that would indicate just how much Siakam still had to grow. He pushed forward. A Finals matchup with the mighty Golden State Warriors — and an individual duel with Draymond Green — was supposed to do the same. Siakam scored 32 points in the Game 1 victory, hit the shot to put the Raptors up three in the closing seconds of Game 6, and averaged 19.8 points on 50.5 percent shooting along with 7.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game to help the Raptors to their first-ever championship.

With Leonard departed and the team his to lead the following year, Siakam averaged career-highs again with 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game en route to his first All-Star appearance and a spot on the All-NBA Second Team.

A MIP trophy and championship ring in one year and an All-Star and All-NBA nod the next. That is quite the trajectory Siakam has placed himself on in just two seasons. If they’re any indication, he’s only getting started.