Kemba Walker Named NBA All-Star Starter

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Photo credit WFNZ/Jason Huber
The 2019 NBA All-Star Game is coming to Charlotte next month and Hornets guard Kemba Walker will be there representing the city as a starter for the first time in his career. 

On Thursday, the NBA announced Walker as one of the five Eastern Conference starters for the 68th NBA All-Star Game taking place at Spectrum Center on Feb. 17.

It'll be the first time Charlotte hosts the game since 1991. 

⭐️HIS CITY! HIS TIME! ⭐️Kemba Walker has been named a -------------- for the 2019 #NBAAllStar Game!!! pic.twitter.com/VaX0pKfX31

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) January 25, 2019

Walker finished starters voting third in the fan vote (50 percent of the vote) and second in the players and media vote, which each counted as 25 percent. 

"It means a lot," Walker said. "The respect from my peers ... the guys I go up against each and every night ... it's huge. That's what I appreciate the most."

Walker was named an all-star in 2017 and 2018, making this his third-career selection to tie former Hornets forward Glen Rice (1996-98) for the most all-star selections in franchise history.

*CHILLS* Kemba Walker finds out he’s a #NBAAllStar starter in Charlotte! pic.twitter.com/fPWKemjzRh

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) January 25, 2019

"I feel like I deserved to be in the position I'm in today," Walker said. "I don't think they would give a starting position in the all-star game to a person who doesn't deserve it."

The only other Hornets to start an all-star game were Larry Johnson in 1993 and Eddie Jones in 2000. 

Currently, in his eighth season in the NBA, Walker is averaging 25 points per game 5.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds to rank fifth in the Eastern Conference in scoring and first among guards.

"This was the team that allowed me to play through my mistakes when I was younger and allowed me to grow," Walker said. "To become a leader on and off the court. They believed in me. Others didn't or they would have drafted me."

Voted alongside Walker in the Eastern Conference is Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounpo, Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving, Philadelphia center Joel Embiid and Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard.

The Eastern Conference @NBAAllStar Starters Pool! @Giannis_An34 @KyrieIrving @KembaWalker @kawhileonard @JoelEmbiid #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/bLwuc8d6sV

— NBA (@NBA) January 25, 2019

In the Western Conference, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, Houston Rockets guard James Harden, Golden State's Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George were named starters.

The Western Conference @NBAAllStar Starters Pool!@KingJames @JHarden13 @StephenCurry30 @Yg_Trece @KDTrey5 #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/PnkabEbUVm

— NBA (@NBA) January 25, 2019

Antetokounpo and James were the conferences' leading vote-getters and will be team captains during the televised NBA All-Star team draft on Feb. 7.

Walker is the Hornets all-time leading scorer and set a franchise record on Nov. 17, scoring 60 points against the Celtics.

Walker ranks first in franchise history in 3-point field goals and free throws. He ranks second in assists and field goals, and third in games played. 

Making his 3rd #NBAAllStar appearance... @KembaWalker of the @hornets!#Hornets30 #KembaWalker pic.twitter.com/eNW0KMBvzs

— 2019 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) January 25, 2019

The NBA All-Star reserves will be announced on Jan. 31.

"I'm just going to play hard for the fans," Walker said. "I'm just going to have fun."