Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid are among the Esatern Conference starters for the 2020 All-Star Games. Both Cameroonian NBA stars received the information last Thursday at the end of votes of players for the 69th edition of the prestigious games.
Philadelphia 76ers center, Joel Embiid will be taking part in his third consecutive All-Star Games as a starter. While his Cameroonian counterpart of the Toronto Raptors will have his first All-Star Game appearance.
After the announcement of the Eastern Conference starters, Joel Embiid was happy to have named starter alongside his Cameroonian peer. “It was great” Embiid responded when asked how it felt to be named a starter for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. “Third time in a row. A lot of us don’t get an opportunity, so I was happy, I was excited.” I was more excited about Pascal. Two guys from Cameroon. We barely started playing basketball eight or nine years ago, so to see us, especially as starters, it means a lot. I’m proud to be from Cameroon and from Africa and represent it.” This is the first time in the history of the NBA that two Africans from the same country are selected for the All-Star Games.
Pascal rise to an NBA superstar has been quite incredible. In four years, Siakam has won G-League championship and G-League Finals MVP, NBA championship, and NBA Most Improved Player Award.
Siakam is leading the Raptors in scoring at 23.5 points per game; he’s also averaging 7.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, one steal and one block per game all career-highs. Pascal Siakam equally became the seventh Raptor to make the All-Star team, joining Vince Carter, Antonio Davis, Chris Bosh, Demar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard.
Embiid and Siakam joined Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kemba Walker and Trae Young as the Eastern Conference starters for this season’s All-Star Game.
Jonathan MBIAOH
