Toronto Raptors small forward Pascal Siakam will play in his first All-Star game this season and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is very happy for his friend.

Both Embiid and Siakam are from Cameroon, via ESPN:

Joel Embiid said he was honored to be selected to his third straight All-Star Game, but he was more excited about the chance to play alongside Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, who also was named a starter Thursday. It will be Siakam’s first All-Star appearance.

“It was great,” Embiid said. “I was happy. I was excited, but I was more excited for Pascal. Two guys from Cameroon. We barely started playing basketball eight, nine years ago, so to see us, especially as starters, it means a lot. I think it means a lot. I’m proud to be from Cameroon, and from Africa, and to be representing.”

Siakam is the main option on offense for the Raptors this season and he hasn’t disappointed. The talented swingman is averaging 23.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 33 games and shooting 45.4 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 81.2 percent from the free-throw line.

Embiid is still out for the Sixers after having surgery to address a torn radial collateral ligament in the fourth metacarpal in his left hand. In 31 games this season, Embiid is averaging 23.4 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He’s shooting 47.2 percent from the field, 32.2 percent from beyond the arc and 83.7 percent from the free-throw line.