Toronto Raptors rising star Pascal Siakam has definitely lived up to the hype surrounding him early in the new season. Averaging 27.5 points (on 48.1 percent shooting), 10.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while also connecting on 2.3 3-pointers per game on a 42.9 percent clip, it would be safe to say that the reigning Most Improved Player of the Year winner has been enjoying life sans Kawhi Leonard.

Judging by how he has now emerged as one of the fastest rising stars in the game today, it does come as a huge shock how he fell all the way to the 27th spot during the 2016 NBA Draft. When asked about why he thinks so many teams passed on him, Siakam could not provide a straightforward answer, especially considering how, in his mind, he always knew that he had a bright future ahead of him.

Via Chris Mannix of SI.com:

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“I think I always knew that the things that I was born with can definitely translate to the NBA,” Siakam said. “Energy and being able to run, rebound, those things will always translate. So doesn’t being able to guard different people.”

On Monday, Siakam and the Raptors secured their third win of the new season, convincingly defeating the Orlando Magic, 104-95. For his part, Siakam turned in another noteworthy effort, logging 24 points (on 9-of-16 shooting), nine rebounds, and three assists in 34 minutes of play.

Siakam has had a tremendous start to the new season, and it would not be surprising if he keeps up this level of play the rest of the way.