- NBA All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge
-
The Rookie Challenge (officially named the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam) is an exhibition basketball game held by the National Basketball Association (NBA) on the Friday before the annual All-Star Game as part of the All-Star Weekend.
The event, first established in 1994, was originally competed by two randomly selected teams composed entirely of first-year players. This format was continued until 1996, when it was changed to pit rookie teams of both the Eastern and the Western Conference against each other. In 1999, the game was cancelled as a result of the NBA lockout. Since the 1998 rookie class did not compete that year, the game was revamped and now features a team of standout first-year players ('Rookies') against a team of standout second-year players ('Sophomores'). Unlike regular NBA games, the game was divided into two twenty-minute halves, similar to college basketball. The participating players were chosen by voting among the league's assistant coaches. In the game, players wear their respective regular team uniforms; except for 2009, in which players wore fan-designed jerseys. The head coaches of the two teams are the lead assistant coaches of the NBA All-Star Game coach. Starting in 2009, two active NBA players were added to the game coaching staffs.
In the most recent edition, the Rookies defeated the Sophomores 148–140, with John Wall as MVP.
Contents
All-time results
The Sophomores lead the all-time series versus the Rookies 8–4 since the game changed to its current format in 2000.
- Notes
- a The 1999 Rookie Game was canceled due to the league's lockout (originally set to play at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)[1]
Past games and rosters
2011
Rookies Pos. Player Team G 
Eric BledsoeLos Angeles Clippers C DeMarcus CousinsSacramento Kings F Derrick FavorsNew Jersey Nets G Landry FieldsNew York Knicks F Blake GriffinLos Angeles Clippers G Wesley JohnsonMinnesota Timberwolves C Greg MonroeDetroit Pistons G Gary NealSan Antonio Spurs G John WallWashington Wizards Head coach: Mike Budenholzer (San Antonio Spurs) Assistant coach: Amar'e Stoudemire (New York Knicks) Assistant coach: Kevin McHale Sophomores Pos. Player Team C DeJuan BlairSan Antonio Spurs G Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors G Tyreke EvansINJSacramento Kings G DeMar DeRozanToronto Raptors F Taj GibsonChicago Bulls G James HardenREPOklahoma City Thunder G Jrue HolidayPhiladelphia 76ers F/C 
Serge IbakaOklahoma City Thunder G Brandon JenningsMilwaukee Bucks G Wesley MatthewsPortland Trail Blazers Head coach: Lawrence Frank (Boston Celtics) Assistant coach: Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks) Assistant coach: Steve Kerr ^INJ Tyreke Evans was unable to participate due to injury.[2]
^REP James Harden was named Tyreke Evans' replacement.[2]February 18
9:00 p.m. ETBoxscore Rookies 148, Sophomores 140 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Attendance: 17,163
Referees:
- #53 Mark Lindsay
- #74 Curtis Blair
- #45 Brian Forte
TNT Scoring by half: 71–69, 77–71 Pts: DeMarcus Cousins 33
Rebs: DeMarcus Cousins 14
Asts: John Wall 22Pts: James Harden 30
Rebs: DeJuan Blair 15
Asts: Stephen Curry 82010
Rookies Pos. Player Team F/C DeJuan BlairSan Antonio Spurs F 
Omri CasspiSacramento Kings G Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors G Tyreke EvansSacramento Kings G Jonny FlynnMinnesota Timberwolves F Taj GibsonChicago Bulls G James HardenOklahoma City Thunder G Brandon JenningsMilwaukee Bucks F 
Jonas JerebkoDetroit Pistons Head coach: Adrian Dantley (Denver Nuggets) Assistant coach: Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) Sophomores Pos. Player Team F Michael BeasleyMiami Heat C 
Marc GasolMemphis Grizzlies F 
Danilo GallinariNew York Knicks G Eric GordonLos Angeles Clippers C Brook LopezNew Jersey Nets F/C Kevin LoveMinnesota Timberwolves G O. J. MayoMemphis Grizzlies G Anthony MorrowREPGolden State Warriors G Derrick RoseDNPChicago Bulls G Russell WestbrookOklahoma City Thunder Head coach: Patrick Ewing (Orlando Magic) Assistant coach: Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors) ^DNP Derrick Rose was excused from the Rookie Challenge in consideration of being named to the All-Star Game and his participation in the Skills Challenge.[3]
^REP Anthony Morrow was named as a replacement for Derrick Rose.[3]February 12
9:00 p.m. ETBoxscore Rookies 140, Sophomores 128 American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Attendance: 19,200
Referees:
- #67 John Goble
- #65 Sean Wright
- #60 David Guthrie
TNT Scoring by half: 67–55, 73–73 Pts: Tyreke Evans 26
Rebs: DeJuan Blair 23
Asts: Brandon Jennings 8Pts: Russell Westbrook 40
Rebs: Beasley, Lopez 7 each
Asts: O. J. Mayo 102009
Rookies Pos. Player Team F Michael BeasleyMiami Heat G/F Rudy FernándezPortland Trail Blazers C Marc GasolMemphis Grizzlies G Eric GordonLos Angeles Clippers C Brook LopezNew Jersey Nets G O. J. MayoMemphis Grizzlies C Greg OdenINJPortland Trail Blazers G Derrick RoseChicago Bulls G Russell WestbrookOklahoma City Thunder Head coach: Kurt Rambis (Los Angeles Lakers) Assistant coach: Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) Sophomores Pos. Player Team G Aaron BrooksHouston Rockets F Wilson ChandlerNew York Knicks G/F Kevin DurantOklahoma City Thunder F Jeff GreenOklahoma City Thunder F/C 
Al HorfordAtlanta Hawks F/C 
Luis ScolaHouston Rockets F Al ThorntonLos Angeles Clippers G Rodney StuckeyDetroit Pistons F Thaddeus YoungPhiladelphia 76ers Head coach: John Kuester (Cleveland Cavaliers) Assistant coach: Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic) February 13
9:00 p.m.Recap
BoxscoreRookies 116, Sophomores 122 US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Attendance: 16,362
Referees:
- #56 Mark Ayotte
- #64 Eli Roe
- #42 Eric Lewis
TNT Scoring by half: 61–58, 55–64 Pts: Michael Beasley 29
Rebs: Marc Gasol 8
Asts: Derrick Rose 7Pts: Kevin Durant 46
Rebs: Durant, Chandler 7 each
Asts: Rodney Stuckey 92008
Rookies Pos. Player Team PG Mike ConleyMemphis Grizzlies SF Kevin DurantSeattle SuperSonics SG Jeff GreenSeattle SuperSonics C Al HorfordAtlanta Hawks PF 
Yi JianlianMilwaukee Bucks SF Jamario MoonToronto Raptors SG Juan Carlos NavarroMemphis Grizzlies PF Luis ScolaHouston Rockets C Sean WilliamsNew Jersey Nets Head coach: Darrell Walker Assistant coach: Bob Pettit Sophomores Pos. Player Team PF LaMarcus AldridgePortland Trail Blazers PF Andrea BargnaniToronto Raptors SG Ronnie BrewerUtah Jazz PG Jordan FarmarLos Angeles Lakers SF Rudy GayMemphis Grizzlies PG Daniel GibsonCleveland Cavaliers PF Paul MillsapUtah Jazz PG Rajon RondoBoston Celtics SG Brandon RoyPortland Trail Blazers Head coach: Tom Thibodeau Assistant coach: Willis Reed February 15 Sophomores 136, Rookies 109 New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana Scoring by half: 66–52, 70–57 2007 game
The 2007 Rookie Challenge took place on Friday, February 16 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Rookie Roster:
Head Coach: Mike O'Koren
Assistant Coach: Dave BingSophomore Roster:
Head Coach: Marc Iavaroni
Assistant Coach: Oscar Robertson2006 game
The 2006 Rookie Challenge took place February 17 at the Toyota Center in Houston.
Rookie Roster:
Head Coach: Sidney Lowe
Assistant Coach: Elvin HayesSophomore Roster:
Head Coach: Del Harris
Assistant Coach: Moses Malone-
- Did not play due to injury
2005 game
The 2005 Rookie Challenge took place February 18 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
Rookie Roster:
Head Coach: PJ Carlesimo
Assistant Coach: Alex EnglishSophomore Roster:
Head Coach: Bob McAdoo
Assistant Coach: Doug Moe-
- Did not play due to injury
2004 game
The 2004 Rookie Challenge took place February 18 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Rookie Roster:
Head Coach: Doug Collins
Assistant Coach: A.C. GreenSophomore Roster:
Head Coach: Michael Cooper
Assistant Coach: Kareem Abdul-JabbarSaid to be the most exciting Rookie Challenge in history due to all the highlight-reel dunks. Much of the hype were on rookie phenoms Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony, who had 33 and 17 points respectively. Amar'e Stoudemire had a then Rookie Challenge record with 36 points, since then Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder holds it with 46 points. Dwyane Wade, 22 points, Carlos Boozer, 25 points,and Ronald Murray had more or less quiet nights compared to their star attracting teammates.
2003 game
The 2003 Rookie Challenge took place February 8 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta.
This was the last time the game was played on a Saturday.Rookie Roster:
Player Team Jay Williams Chicago Bulls Gordon Giricek Orlando Magic Caron Butler Miami Heat Drew Gooden Memphis Grizzlies Amar'e Stoudemire Phoenix Suns Carlos Boozer Cleveland Cavaliers Nene Denver Nuggets Marko Jaric Los Angeles Clippers Dajuan Wagner Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach: Cotton Fitzsimmons
Assistant Coach: Lou HudsonSophomore Roster:
Head Coach: Mike Fratello
Assistant Coach: Bob Pettit2002 game
The 2002 Rookie Challenge took place February 9 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia.
Rookie Roster:
Head Coach: Chuck Daly
Assistant Coach: Darryl DawkinsSophomore Roster:
Head Coach: Billy Cunningham
Assistant Coach: Bobby Jones2001 game
The 2001 Rookie Challenge took place February 10 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C..
Rookie Roster:
Head Coach: Kevin Loughery
Assistant Coach: Jack MarinSophomore Roster:
Head Coach: Elvin Hayes
Assistant Coach: Phil Chenier2000 game
The 2000 Rookie Challenge took place February 11 at the Oakland Arena in Oakland.
Rookie Roster:
Head Coach: Al Attles
Assistant Coach: Nate ThurmondSophomore Roster:
Player Team Dirk Nowitzki Dallas Mavericks Paul Pierce Boston Celtics Raef LaFrentz Denver Nuggets Cuttino Mobley Houston Rockets Jason Williams Sacramento Kings Mike Bibby Vancouver Grizzlies Michael Dickerson Vancouver Grizzlies Michael Olowokandi Los Angeles Clippers Antwan Jamison** Golden State Warriors Head Coach: Bill Russell
Assistant Coach: KC Jones**Did not play due to injury
1998 game
The 1998 Rookie Challenge took place February 8 at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
East Roster:
Head Coach: Willis Reed
West Roster:
Head Coach: Dave Debusschere
1997 game
The 1997 Rookie Challenge took place February 8 at the Gund Arena in Cleveland.
East Roster:
Head Coach: Red Auerbach
West Roster:
Player Team Shareef Abdur-Rahim Vancouver Grizzlies Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Derek Fisher Los Angeles Lakers Travis Knight Los Angeles Lakers Matt Maloney Houston Rockets Stephon Marbury** Minnesota Timberwolves Steve Nash Phoenix Suns Roy Rogers Vancouver Grizzlies Samaki Walker** Dallas Mavericks Lorenzen Wright Los Angeles Clippers Head Coach: Red Holtzman
**Did not play due to injury
1996 game
The 1996 Rookie Challenge took place February 10 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
East Roster:
Player Team Alan Henderson Atlanta Hawks Jerry Stackhouse Philadelphia 76ers Damon Stoudamire Toronto Raptors Bob Sura Cleveland Cavaliers Kurt Thomas Miami Heat Rasheed Wallace Washington Bullets Eric Williams Boston Celtics George Zidek Charlotte Hornets Head Coach: Bob Lanier
West Roster:
Head Coach: Doug Moe
1995 game
The 1995 Rookie Challenge took place February 11 at the US Airways Center in Phoenix.
Green Team Roster:
Player Team Brian Grant Sacramento Kings Juwan Howard Washington Bullets Sharone Wright Philadelphia 76ers Eddie Jones Los Angeles Lakers Jason Kidd Dallas Mavericks Jalen Rose Denver Nuggets Anthony Tucker Washington Bullets Michael Smith Sacramento Kings Head Coach: Al Attles
White Team Roster:
Head Coach: Cotton Fitzsimmons
1994 game
The 1994 Rookie Challenge took place February 12 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. MVP – Anfernee Hardaway
Sensations Roster:
Player Team Chris Mills Cleveland Cavaliers Jamal Mashburn Dallas Mavericks Shawn Bradley Philadelphia 76ers Anfernee Hardaway Orlando Magic Nick Van Exel Los Angeles Lakers Calbert Cheaney Washington Bullets PJ Brown New Jersey Nets Popeye Jones Dallas Mavericks Head Coach: KC Jones
Phenoms Roster:
Head Coach: Doug Collins
Game records
Points
- Kevin Durant, 46 (2009)
- Russell Westbrook, 40 (2010)
- Amar'e Stoudemire, 36 (2004)
- LeBron James, 33 (2004)
- Daniel Gibson, 33 (2008)
Rebounds
- DeJuan Blair, 23 (2010)
- Elton Brand, 21 (2000)
- Chris Bosh, 14 (2005)
- Marcus Fizer, 14 (2002)
- Quentin Richardson, 14 (2001)
Assists
- John Wall, 22 (2011)
- Chris Paul, 17 (2007)
- Jordan Farmar, 12 (2008)
3 Pointers
- Daniel Gibson, 11 (2008)
- Kyle Korver, 7 (2005)
Shooting Percentage
- David Lee, 100% (14–14) (2007)
Participant players by team
References
- ^ Steele, David (December 9, 1998). "NBA Drops All-Stars -- What's Left? February game in Philly latest casualty of lockout". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1998/12/09/SP102770.DTL. Retrieved December 17, 2008.
- ^ a b "Thunder's Harden replaces Kings' Evans in Rookie Challenge". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 17, 2011. http://www.nba.com/2011/news/02/17/james-harden-rookie-challenge/index.html. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
- ^ a b "Warriors' Morrow replaces Bulls' Rose for Rookie Challenge". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 2, 2010. http://www.nba.com/2010/allstar/2010/02/02/morrow.rose/index.html. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
- ^ "Sore knee knocks Blazers' Oden out of Rookie Challenge". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 13, 2009. http://www.nba.com/2009/allstar2009/02/13/oden.out.ap/index.html. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
External links
- 2007 Rookie Challenge
- 2008 Rookie Challenge
- Rookie Challenge Recaps and Box Scores
- Rookie Challenge Coaches
- Team-by-Team Participants
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- Recurring sporting events established in 1994
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