Pascal Siakam was a late starter in basketball, as the Cameroonian did not play until his early teens.  He was a natural and moved to the U.S. at age sixteen to develop his skills, which would land him at New Mexico State.  Siakam won the WAC Player of the Year, but he was not expected to do that much as a pro.  The Raptors took him late (27^th) in the 2016 Draft, and the project that was Pascal Siakam began.

Siakam played a good amount of his rookie season in the G-League, winning a title and Finals MVP there, after which the Power Forward stayed with the Raptors for good.  A backup for most of 2017-18, Siakam became a starter in 2018-19, in a season where it felt like he improved with every game played.  Siakam was electric in the playoffs, playing a large part in their first NBA Championship.  For his regular season efforts, Siakam won the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year Award.

Siakam was no longer going to sneak up on anyone, but he got even better in 2019-20, went to his first All-Star Game, and collected a Second Team All-NBA nod, and averaging 22.9 Points per Game.  Emerging as the Raptors top player, he averaged over 20 Points per Game for the rest of his Raptors career, adding a Third-Team All-NBA in 2021-22, and a second All-Star the year after.  He also was a certified workhorse for the club, leading the NBA in Minutes per Game in both 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Emtering 2023-24, the Raptors were in clear rebuilding mode, and Siakam was traded to the surging Indiana Pacers.  When it was all said and done, Siakam left Jurrasic Park as one of the most important players in franchise history.

Rock and Roll lost a great one today as Dusty Hill, of the Texas band, ZZ Top, died today at the age of 72.

An original member of the band, ZZ Top was formed with Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard, with the tri0 producing 15 albums, yielding many hits, most notably 1984’s “Legs.”  The group, who had already been rock staples for a decade, broke out to the mainstream with that song, and the corresponding album, Eliminator.

ZZ Top was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends and family of Dusty Hill. 

Adios amigo.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB.  Once that is done, we intend to look at how each team honor their past players, coaches and executives.  As such, it is news to us that the Colorado State Athletic Hall of Fame has announced their Class of 2021.

This group comprises the 30^th ever Class, and it consists of six people.

The induction will take place on September 10, with the group being unveiled at their home game the day after against Vanderbilt.

The Class of 2021 are:

Breann Bohnen, Women’s Swimming and Diving, 2008-13:  Bohnen was a four-time conference champion, specializing in the 200m backstroke.  She was named a three-time team MVP.

Joel Dressen, Football, 2001-04:  Dressen played at Tight End and helped the Rams win the 2002 MWC Championship.  He would later play in the NFL for the New York Jets, Houston and Denver.

Rich Feller, Men’s Volleyball Head Coach, 1983-96:  Feller won two conference championships and had a record of 299-167.

Tarry Harrison, Men’s Cross Country, 1966-69:  Harrison finished second at the 10,000m in 1968.

Debbie Maass, Women’s Track and Field, 1991-94:  Maass was a three-time conference champion in the mile.

Gary Ozzello, Sports Information Director, Senior Associate Athletic Director 1978-2020:

We would like to congratulate the newest members of the Colorado State Athletic Hall of Fame for earning this prestigious honor.

“Bill Barilko disappeared that summer

He was on a fishing trip

The last goal he ever scored

Won the Leafs the cup

They didn't win another till nineteen sixty two

The year he was discovered

I stole this from a hockey card

I keeped tucked up under”

The Tragically Hip.

The subject of the legendary Canadian band's song, "Fifty Mission Cap," Bill Barilko was a strong Defenseman who logged a lot of minutes on the ice and in the penalty box.  The tough player was a large part of four Stanley Cup Championships and would twice finish in the top ten in Defensive Point Shares.  Barilko scored the game-winning goal in Game 5 of the ’51 Finals, which was the deciding game.  At age 24, Barilko was on top of the world and should have had many more years to come.

Barilko died in a plane crash on his way to a fishing trip.  As the song stated, the Leafs never won a Cup until the "year he was discovered," 1962, when the plane was found.  

The Leafs would officially retire his number 5 in 1992, likely due to the renewed attention from Gord Downie and company.