ATLANTA HAWKS’ AL HORFORD SELECTED TO PLAY IN
T-MOBILE ROOKIE CHALLENGE & YOUTH JAM
 

ATLANTA, GA (Jan. 30, 2008) -- Atlanta Hawks forward/center Al Horford leads a list of 18 players selected to play in the 2008 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam on Friday, Feb. 15 during the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities in New Orleans.

“It’s an honor to be chosen to play in this game and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” said Horford. “One of my personal goals at the beginning of the season was to play well enough for the coaches to consider me, and I’m thrilled to be taking part in NBA All-Star Weekend.”

Horford currently leads the Hawks and all NBA rookies in rebounding (9.8 per game) and ranks 16th in the NBA overall. He is also tops among all first-year players in double-doubles (7) and efficiency rating (15.40).

On the season, Horford is averaging 8.9 points (4th among rookies), 1.1 blocks (3rd among rookies and 38th overall), 1.3 assists (t7th) and 1.0 steals (3rd), while shooting 48.2 percent from the field (4th). Additionally, he was named the Eastern Conference T-Mobile Rookie of the Month for November by the NBA.

“Al has done everything we’ve asked of him this season and being named to the team is a tribute to all of his hard work,” said Hawks coach Mike Woodson. “He takes his job very seriously, and that’s how you become a great player in this league.”

The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot. The head coaches for the Rookie and Sophomore teams will be the lead assistants from the 2007 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs.

The T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam will be televised live nationally on TNT and also will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio, while NBA.com will make live audio available to fans in multiple languages.