Bismack Biyombo sets Raptors court, Congolese Canadians hearts on fire
'He really is an inspiration!', fan says of star defensive giant
Bismack Biyombo was undoubtedly the star of Saturday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers but for many young Congolese Canadians, he's always held a special place in their hearts.
The 23-year-old Congo-born Biyombo grabbed 26 rebounds — a Raptors playoff record — to help Toronto win 99-84 over the Beasts of the East at the Air Canada Centre.
"It was amazing, man," DeMar DeRozan said after the game, adding special praise for Biyombo.
"He was big-time tonight. Without him, we probably wouldn't get this win."
Bryan Dikeble, a student at École secondaire catholique Monseigneur-de-Charbonnel in Toronto's north end, agreed that Biyombo is a star.
But his admiration goes deeper for the Raptors centre.
"I am proud of Biyombo because he is African and we are treating him like Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan," Dikeble told CBC News.
Another student, Joyce Moupila, said Biyombo's "got good moves" and told CBC she knows what she would tell the player if she met him.
The feeling when you break a franchise record in rebounds previously held by...yourself. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheNorth?src=hash">#WeTheNorth</a> <a href="https://t.co/bavIE4LHEQ">pic.twitter.com/bavIE4LHEQ</a>
—@Raptors"I'd tell him I'm proud of everything he does and that he's a good example."
Like Biyombo, Riphat Tshiamala came to North America from Congo, one of the poorest countries in the world.
"I love him," Tshiamala said. "He represents us, Congo and Toronto."
Tshiamala's school coach Morcos Gendi said Biyombo's rise as a starting center in the post-season is an inspiration to kids from Congo.
"He's definitely setting a good example, he's showing the kids that hard work and dedication can get you there," Gendi said.
"Biyombo had his chance this year when [Raptors centre] Jonas Valanciunas went down with his injury, so it shows our students [that they should] always be ready. No matter what stage in your life you might be called upon."
Yvette Kavungu owns Ma Yve Grill, a popular Congolese restaurant in Pickering, Ont., east of Toronto where Biyombo's visited twice.
"The people made so much noise when he came here, they were very happy to see him," she said. "To see a Congolese basketball player here was amazing. We're proud to see him playing at that level."
"I have kids who play basketball and when we watch him play I hear them saying he's a role model and they aspire to be like him," said Denis Bangala, a regular at May Yve Grill, about the Biyombo phenomenon.
"When you hear that, you say, 'Oh, my gosh! He really is an inspiration!' And he's from the same country as us so we're proud of him as Canadians and as Congolese."
With files from Errol Nazareth