Siakam, Koloko become first two players from Cameroon to start a game together in NBA

Pascal Siakam and Christian Koloko made history for their native Cameroon on Monday night. And they might be involved in more later this week.

Per ESPN, Pascal Siakam and Christian Koloko made history for their native Cameroon on Monday night. And they might be involved in more later this week.

Siakam and Koloko were both in the starting lineup for the Toronto Raptors’ 98-90 victory over the Miami Heat. It marked the first time in NBA history that two players from Cameroon started a game together. They combined for 25 points and 11 rebounds in the win, as Toronto improved to 2-2.

Monday’s game marked the 31st time in NBA history that two players from Cameroon started the same game — but in each of the first 30 instances, they were starting on opposite teams. Most of those were games between the Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers, ones that featured Siakam and Joel Embiid.

There have never been three starters from Cameroon in the same game. That may change this week; the Raptors play Philadelphia on Wednesday and Friday. Embiid, Siakam and Koloko are all former Basketball Without Borders Africa campers.

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