Since joining the Indiana Pacers, Pascal Siakam has brought championship experience and a steadying presence to a young roster. In an exclusive interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, the two-time All-NBA forward shared insight into his mindset, influences, and ongoing pursuit of excellence.
On the court, Siakam has evolved into one of the league’s most versatile interior scorers while also facilitating as a point-forward. He explained, “[Smiles] It’s definitely not easier! Every single night I’m seeing a lot of attention from the defense; usually, there are two or three people around when I’m making a play. I’m just trying to be as aggressive as I can. It’s about finding that balance between staying aggressive and getting my teammates involved, but it starts with having that attack mindset.”
Siakam also reflected on the players who shaped his approach, noting, “I wasn’t a huge ‘student of the game’ growing up because I started basketball so late. But of course, you admire anyone that size who can handle the ball—guys like LeBron or Magic. I’m not on that level in terms of playmaking, but I’m focused on making the game easy for my teammates. That’s something I’m always trying to do and I’m still learning as much as I can.”
Despite his accomplishments, Siakam’s primary focus remains winning. “I think, again, I just want to win. That’s all I really care about, to be honest. I’ve been a champion before, and I’m chasing that next one. That is my primary motivation. There is always something you can get better at,” he said.
Siakam praised Indiana’s supportive environment, highlighting the connection with fans. “It’s great. The fans here really love the team; they’re invested in everything we do. It’s amazing to see that support regardless of how difficult the season has been. They are always supporting us, and that’s special. You don’t find that in a lot of places, so I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Beyond the NBA, representing Cameroon carries deep significance for Siakam. “It’s amazing. It’s not even something you dream of. When I was first trying to make it to the NBA, I wasn’t thinking about that—I was just trying to get there. But being in this moment now and knowing people are watching… It’s about providing inspiration. It’s about them seeing someone who looks like them and realizing they can make it, too,” he said.
This season, Siakam leads Indiana with 23.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, shooting 48.3% from the field and 38.5% from three across 44 games. His contributions anchor a Pacers team still building chemistry, sitting at 11–36, 14th in the Eastern Conference, with Bennedict Mathurin (17.8 PPG) and Andrew Nembhard (17.7 PPG, 7.3 APG) rounding out the core.
