James Siakam gains role after losing father

More than a month after his father's funeral, Vanderbilt's James Siakam is still playing off raw emotion.

The senior forward said his unquenchable energy is boosted by the memory of his dad, who died following a car wreck in Cameroon in West Africa in late October and was laid to rest in mid-November, per cultural custom.

"Every time I play and step on the court, I believe that my dad is watching me," Siakam said. "This was a great dream for him. He loved basketball, and he wanted me to succeed. And then when you have teammates like I do, it's a second family. Coach (Kevin) Stallings has been a great model for me, and I just try to give these guys all my energy."

Siakam, a starter last season, missed Vanderbilt's season opener against Trevecca to attend the funeral, giving his spot in the lineup to 7-foot sophomore Luke Kornet. Since then, the hot-shooting Kornet has remained in the starting lineup, and Siakam has learned the value of being a sixth man.

Consequently, Siakam has responded with the most productive stretch of his career. Heading into a last month game at Georgia Tech (7-2), he has scored in double figures in six consecutive games, topped by a season-high 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench in Tuesday's win over Western Carolina. He also leads the SEC with a 65.1 field-goal percentage.

"It's unreal the kind of effect he has on our team," freshman guard Riley LaChance said. "With everything going on in his life, you'd think he would have an excuse to play lackadaisical or whatever. But every second he's been here, he has played the hardest of anyone on our team. It is really a testament to him and his character. What he does for our team is invaluable."

Siakam's specialty has been injecting energy into the lineup. The 6-foot-7 undersized post player blocks shots, attacks the rim and pulls down defensive rebounds to start fast-breaks.

"He is a big-time energy guy, and that's what we need from him," Stallings said. "I like it the way it is because I can put him in for either guy (Kornet or Damian Jones). I like the way that feels to us right now. And James is a great guy in that role because he can handle it — he's a mature guy — and he plays with a tremendous amount of energy. Our energy tends to go up when he comes into the game."

Siakam has often been the catalyst for big runs by the offensive-minded Commodores (7-2), who rank among the top four in the SEC in points scored, assists, field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage.

Stallings said Siakam could start again, but for now he has been more valuable coming off the bench.

"(Siakam) said, 'Coach, I trust you. Whatever you do is fine with me,'" Stallings recalled. "That's just James. He is as good of a person as you can possibly be."

Siakam started 28 of 31 games last season, but he said he has no problems with his current role.

"I am definitely OK with it. If coach says this is my role, I have to be able to accept it," Siakam said. "You have to lose yourself within the team concept. I enjoy what I do. I am an energy booster. If I can come in and get the guys going, I live for that and I love it."