NBA's 2011 Rookie Challenge Rosters Set

Filed under: 76ers, Bucks, Bulls, Clippers, Knicks, Nets, Nuggets, Pistons, Spurs, Timberwolves, NBA All-Star Game, Thunder

In last year's Rookie Challenge, Tyreke Evans led his first-year teammates to a surprise upset, earning MVP honors while ending a seven-year reign by the Sophomores.



Can Evans improve to 2-0 in the All-Star weekend event? Or will Blake Griffin, the No. 1 draft pick in 2009 whose rookie year was postponed a year due to injury, lead his squad to victory?



The NBA officially unveiled its nine-man rosters for the 2011 Rookie Challenge, and Evans will be joined by San Antonio Spurs center DeJuan Blair (who grabbed 23 rebounds in last year's affair), Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (snubbed from last year's Rookie roster), Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson, Philadelphia 76ers guard Jrue Holiday, Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Serge Ibaka, Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings and Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews.



Joining Griffin on the Rookies' roster is fellow No. 1 draft pick John Wall and Clippers teammate Eric Bledsoe, as well as Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, New Jersey Nets forward Derrick Favors, New York Knicks guard Landry Fields, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Wesley Johnson, Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe and San Antonio Spurs guard Gary Neal.



The head coaches for the Rookie Challenge consist of the lead assistants for the 2011 All-Star Game. Since the Spurs have already locked up Gregg Popovich's spot coaching the West, San Antonio's Mike Budenholzer will guide the Rookies. He'll be joined on the sidelines by Amar'e Stoudemire and NBA TV/TNT analyst Kevin McHale. The head coach of the East's All-Stars won't be decided until Feb. 6, but whoever takes the reins to guide the Sophomores will be assisted by Carmelo Anthony and TNT analyst Steve Kerr.



The 2011 Rookie Challenge will be televised by TNT at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 18.

 

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Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/02/01/2011-rookie-challenge-rosters-set/