NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2006 – Due to the sprained right mid-foot injury that has kept him on the sidelines since Jan. 20, Jameer Nelson will not participate in the 2006 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge during All-Star Weekend in Houston.

The second-year point guard was replaced on the sophomore squad by his former St. Joseph's teammate, Boston Celtics guard Delonte West. The T-Mobile Rookie Challenge will take on Friday, February 17 at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Magic forward Dwight Howard will still take part in the game, also playing on the sophomore team.

The T-Mobile Rookie Challenge will be televised live nationally on TNT in the United States and on Rogers Sportsnet in Canada at 9 p.m. ET. The game will also be broadcast live on ESPN Radio while NBA.com will make live audio available to fans in multiple languages.

Building upon its already strong appeal to the nation’s youth and as the Official Wireless Services Partner of the NBA, T-Mobile is showcasing the NBA’s youngest players -- the Rookies -- through the NBA’s Rookie program. Highlights include the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge, an All-Star competition between NBA rookies and second-year players, and rookie awards presentations including the T-Mobile Rookie of the Year. As part of a unique package of NBA-themed offerings, T-Mobile users will be receiving special content on NBA rookies providing insights into NBA life both on and off the court.