October 18, 2004

TORONTO (CP) - Pape Sow hasn't seen his family since he left his home in Senegal more than four years ago to play college basketball in the United States.

The choice to leave wasn't easy.

On the one hand, Sow, who spoke no English, was leaving behind his mom Rokhaya Sarr and father Baye, his four younger sisters and a younger brother, a close-knit family that still lives together in a two-bedroom house in Dakar, Senegal's capital.

On the other hand, he was saying so long to a culture where basketball is considered second-rate to the country's beloved soccer, and a pair of basketball shoes can cost more than a month's rent.

Sow, a six-foot-10 rookie forward who's battling for a spot on the Toronto Raptors roster, didn't even play organized ball until he landed in the U.S., playing a season with Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., before transferring to Cal State Fullerton for his final three years.

Pape Sow has come a long way since growing up in Senegal. (Getty Images)

``We used to play basketball, but it's not like over here,'' said Sow. ``(At home) you play basketball just sometimes.

``We had a court but it wasn't like a good court, and sometimes we played without shoes on. It was very hard, but I stick with it until I come over here and start learning the game more.

``Over here, they have everything you need for playing ball, so every year I'm getting better and better and better.''

The 22-year-old Sow, whose name is pronounced Pop Soh, is one of a handful of promising young players that hope to stick with the Raptors when the roster is set Nov. 1. Both GM Rob Babcock and coach Sam Mitchell like Sow. Babcock comparing him to a young Ben Wallace, the two-time NBA defensive player of the year, and Mitchell suggesting he could be even better.

The decision to keep Sow will likely come down to money, and whether the club chooses to keep 15 players. Others without guaranteed contracts include forwards Matt Bonner and Loren Woods, and point guard Roger Mason Jr.

``(Sow) will stick on this club if we have the money and the wherewithal to keep him,'' Mitchell told reporters after Sunday's pre-season game against Philadelphia. ``We definitely want him, there's no doubt about it. At the end of the day, it'll come down to a decision for Rob and the owners.''

Mitchell said in his opinion, any of the young players such as Sow and Bonner are better than anything the Raptors would get in next year's NBA draft so it makes good sense to keep them around and develop them for a season.

Sow would earn the rookie minimum salary of $385,277 US, which is peanuts compared to his millionaire teammates.

But it's enough for Sow to see his family.

``That's my dream, to make the team and try to see my mom,'' said Sow.

He would also be able to provide a better life for his family in Senegal, where the unemployment rate is 48 per cent and just 40 per cent of the population can read and write.

``I'm trying to do my best, trying to help my family over there. It's hard, we're struggling,'' said Sow.

Sow, whose father is a retired school teacher, said there were nights their house was so crowded he had to give up his bed.

``I used to put my dirty clothes on the floor and sleep on them,'' said Sow.

And with an NBA paycheque, he would certainly never again want for shoes. A pair of typical basketball shoes in Senegal, he said, costs 150,000 Senegalese CFA francs ($360 Cdn).

``That's a lot of money over there, 150,000 (francs),'' said Sow. ``Over there, a pair of shoes would pay your rent and food for the month.

``Now, every time I have a free pair of shoes or every time I have something and I don't need it, I send it to my family.''

Sow moved to the U.S. after a scout saw him play in Dakar.

``He said he liked me, and at the time I couldn't understand what he was saying, so I had a friend that speaks English translate for me,'' said Sow, who speaks fluent French and his native tongue of Wolof in addition to decent English.

After transferring to Cal State Fullerton, he capped his college career as the team's fourth all-time leading rebounder. He was named to the All-Big West first team, and led the Big West in rebounding with 9.7 per game. He recorded 13 double-doubles, highlighted by 26 points and a career-high 18 rebounds against Cal Poly.

Sow was the No. 8 pick in the Continental Basketball Association's 2004 college draft, by the defending champion Dakota Wizards. But packing so much potential, many thought he wouldn't stay in the CBA long.

Then the Raptors acquired his rights from the Miami Heat, who took Sow 47th overall in the 2004 NBA draft.

He hasn't seen much time for the Raptors yet, playing just 12 minutes in Toronto's pre-season loss to the 76ers on Friday, recording two points, three rebounds, a steal and a block. He didn't play in Sunday's rematch.

Sow's not complaining.

``I'm a rookie, you're supposed to expect that,'' said Sow. ``I'm over here to try to get a job. If they give me one second, I'm going to do the best I can. I'm not over here to complain: why don't I play? I'm not worried about that at all.''