February 1, 2011
Stephen Curry Named To Sophomore Team For 2011 Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam
Assistant Coaches Include NBA All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, TNT NBA Analyst Steve Kerr, and NBA TV/TNT Analyst Kevin McHale

In additon to representing the Sophomore squad, Stephen Curry is a finalist to compete in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge at All-Star Weekend. VOTE NOW
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry was among 18 players selected for the 2011 Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Friday, Feb. 18, in Los Angeles during NBA All-Star 2011.

The participants in the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot.

Joining Curry on the Sophomore team are: San Antonio Spurs center DeJuan Blair, Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, 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.

The Rookie squad consists of: Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe, Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, New Jersey Nets forward Derrick Favors, New York Knicks guard Landry Fields, Clippers forward Blake Griffin, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Wesley Johnson, Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe, San Antonio Spurs guard Gary Neal, and Washington Wizards guard John Wall.

Last year in Dallas at NBA All-Star 2010, Curry helped lead the Rookies to a 140-128 win, marking the first Rookie victory since 2002.

The head coaches for the Rookie and Sophomore teams will be the lead assistants from the 2011 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs. The San Antonio Spurs coaching staff earned the right to lead the West All-Stars last week; assistant coach Mike Budenholzer will lead the Rookie team. The East coaching staff will be determined by the best record in each conference through games played Feb. 6.

Assistant coaches for the Rookies are All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks and NBA TV/TNT analyst Kevin McHale. The assistant coaches for the Sophomores are All-Star Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets and TNT NBA basketball analyst Steve Kerr.

The Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam will be televised live nationally on TNT at 9 p.m. ET and also will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio, while NBA.com will make live audio available to fans in multiple languages.

The Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam began its current format pitting the Rookies against the Sophomores in 2000 and the Sophomores hold an 8-3 advantage over the first-year players. The game will be played in two 20-minute halves. Individual foul totals will be kept, but a player cannot foul out. A team will be in the penalty situation after 10 team fouls or after the second foul in the final two minutes of each half. In the event of a tie game, there will be a two-minute overtime to determine the winner. The clock will stop after each successful field goal in the last minute of each half.

NBA All-Star brings together the top NBA players and performers for a week of competition, community service and world-class entertainment. Among the many other exciting All-Star events are Sprite Slam Dunk, Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, Taco Bell Skills Challenge, Haier Shooting Stars and NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas.

Below are the rosters for the 2011 Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam:

2011 ROOKIE CHALLENGE ROSTERS
SOPHOMORES
ROOKIES
DeJuan Blair - San Antonio
Eric Bledsoe - L.A. Clippers
DeMar DeRozan - Toronto
DeMarcus Cousins - Sacramento
Stephen Curry - Golden State
Derrick Favors - New Jersey
Tyreke Evans - Sacramento
Landry Fields - New York
Taj Gibson - Chicago
Blake Griffin - L.A. Clippers
Jrue Holiday - Philadelphia
Wesley Johnson - Minnesota
Serge Ibaka - Oklahoma City
Greg Monroe - Detroit
Brandon Jennings - Milwaukee
Gary Neal - San Antonio
Wesley Matthews - Portland
John Wall - Washington
Head Coach – TBD
Carmelo Anthony – Denver
Steve Kerr – TNT NBA basketball analyst
Mike Budenholzer – San Antonio Spurs
Amar’e Stoudemire – New York
Kevin McHale – NBA TV/TNT analyst