Arenas will make his second straight appearance at the All-Star game. NBAE/Getty Images

“It’s a blessing,” said Arenas. “It’s an honor to be an All Star and I’m really happy that Commissioner has chosen me. I’m excited and honored to be picked among the best players in the game, and I’m looking forward to representing my teammates and coaches and this entire organization at the All-Star game.”

This will be Arenas’ second All-Star appearance after representing the Wizards and the Eastern Conference in last year’s All-Star game in Denver. Arenas is currently the fourth leading scorer in the NBA, with a career-high 28.2 points per game average.

In his fifth year out of Arizona, Arenas is one of four players in the NBA that rank among the Top 20 in both points and assists per game. He has scored at least 30 points in 22 games this season, and has topped the 40-point mark on six occasions in 2005-06. In addition to ranking fourth in the league in scoring, and 16th in assists per game, Arenas also ranks third in the NBA in minutes played and three-point field goals made and ninth in steals per game.

“Gilbert is very deserving of this All-Star honor and we are very excited that he will be representing the Washington Wizards at this year’s All-Star Game,” said Washington Wizards Chairman Abe Pollin. “Gilbert is an extraordinary talent, but more importantly he’s a wonderful and giving person. I know that all of our fans share in Gilbert’s tremendous accomplishment.”

“This is a well deserved honor for Gilbert and I am extremely happy and proud of him,” said Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld. “Gilbert has played at an elite level this year, and he’s as deserving of making the All-Star team as any player in the league. Gilbert is an extremely hard worker who continues to improve his skills, and he has a great passion for the game of basketball.”

“I’m proud to have Gilbert represent us at the All-Star Game,” said Wizards Head Coach Eddie Jordan. “Gilbert has been phenomenal for us throughout the season, and his play has helped put us in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. He is very deserving of this honor, and I think it’s a credit to our entire team. We’re all very excited and grateful that Commissioner Stern recognized Gilbert as one of basketball’s true stars.”

Arenas joins Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson, Miami’s Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal, Boston’s Paul Pierce, Detroit’s Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace, Toronto’s Chris Bosh and New Jersey’s Vince Carter on the 2006 Eastern Conference All-Star team.