Howard and Okafor highlight squad for Rookie Challenge
01.27.2005
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Howard was selected by the Magic with the top overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, just the third high school player taken No. 1 overall after Kwame Brown (Washington, 2001) and LeBron James (Cleveland, 2003).
Okafor chosen second by the expansion Bobcats after a stellar career as a center at the University of Connecticut.
Forward Luol Deng and guard Ben Gordon represent a young Chicago squad, while forward Andre Iguodala of the Sixers, Boston guard Tony Allen, Atlanta forward Josh Smith and the Spurs’ Beno Udrih round out the 10-man roster.
The sophomore squad is led by Cleveland’s James and Denver’s Carmelo Anthony. Last season James beat out Anthony for NBA Rookie of the Year honors, despite Anthony leading the Nuggets to the playoffs for the first time since the 1994-95 campaign.
Sharpshooter Kyle Korver of Philadelphia, Seattle guard Luke Ridnour, Toronto forward Chris Bosh, Chicago guard Kirk Hinrich and Dallas forward Josh Howard were also selected to the team, while Miami teammates Udonis Haslem, a forward, and Dwyane Wade, a guard, finish out the squad.
The game will be played on Friday, February 18, at the Pepsi Center. The sophomore squad leads the series, 3-2. Last year, the sophomores defeated the Rookies, 142-118, with Phoenix’s Amare Stoudamire earning the Most Valuable Player award.
