CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The NBA All-Star Game is just about three weeks from coming to the Queen City.

• Kemba Walker was voted as a starter for the first time
• It will be his third All-Star appearance
• The NBA All-Star Game will be held in Charlotte at the Spectrum Center on February 17

Thursday the league named its starters and fans will be treated to not one but two hometown favorites.

In addition to Charlotte native Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors returning home, Hornets guard Kemba Walker was voted as a starter for the first time. Overall, it's Walker's third All-Star appearance, tying Glen Rice for the most All-Star appearances in franchise history.

He's averaging a career-best 25 points per game while shooting 43 percent from the field and handing out nearly six assists per game. His season is why Charlotte occupies the seventh playoff spot in the eastern conference.

Joining Walker as starters from the eastern conference is Boston's Kyre Irving, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, Toronto's Kawhi Leonard and Philadelphia's Joel Embiid.

Lebron James of the Lakers leads the western conference contingent along with Steph Curry and Kevin Durant from the Warriors. Houston's James Harden and Oklahoma City's Paul George round out the west.