Africa is about to have a moment. If that wasn’t evident, one only needed to look on the hardwood at the United Center for the opening tip of the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. Joel Embiid, the game’s most physically-imposing, fun-loving troll, was standing at center court, preparing to jump. Pascal Siakam, the unorthodox and wiry NBA champion, was nearby, facing him. And Giannis Antetokounmpo, the overly athletic, overachieving MVP, was at the foul line, ready for some action.



Embiid and Siakam, natives of Cameroon, and Antetokounmpo, Greek-born to Nigerian parents, were selected starters by the combined votes of fans, media and players. Antetokounmpo earned the honor of having the team named after him for the second year in a row after being the Eastern Conference’s leading vote-getter.



All three were members of Team Giannis because Antetokounmpo made it that way with the draft selections of his “African brothers.” All...