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Griffin, Evans headline rookie challenge rosters
Feb 2, 2011, 2:55 GMT
Los Angeles - Los Angeles Clippers rookie power forward Blake Griffin and Sacramento Kings second-year guard Tyreke Evans headline the list of 18 players chosen for this season's All-Star rookie challenge, the league announced on Tuesday.
The annual contest pitting the rookies against sophomores will be played February 18 on Griffin's home floor, Los Angeles' Staples Centre. It tips off the weekend festivities, highlighted by the 60th NBA All-Star Game on Sunday.
Griffin is having an MVP-type season, averaging 22.8 points, 12.7 rebounds and countless rim-rattling dunk highlights through his first 47 games for the Clippers after the 2009 top overall pick sat out the campaign with a knee injury.
Griffin is joined on the rookie team by Washington Wizards guard John Wall, the top selection in the 2010 draft, Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe, Kings centre DeMarcus Cousins, New Jersey Nets forward Derrick Favors and New York Knicks guard Landry Fields.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Wesley Johnson, Detroit Pistons centre Greg Monroe, and San Antonio Spurs guard Gary Neal round out the roster.
Evans, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, is joined on the sophomore squad by Spurs forward/centre DeJuan Blair, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson and Philadelphia 76ers guard Jrue Holiday.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Serge Ibaka, Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings, and Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews complete the team.
Last season in Dallas, Evans, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, had 22 points and 23 rebounds in leading the first-year stars to their first win in the competition since 2002, 140-128.
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