2006 Rookie Challenge

(Statistics through February 2)

NEW YORK (CP) - Toronto Raptors freshman Charlie Villanueva was one of nine players named Wednesday to the rookie team for the NBA Rookie Challenge, part of the league's all-star festivities.

The game, which goes Feb. 17 in Houston, features the league's top rookies taking on a team of second-year players and serves as a prelude to the NBA all-star game Feb. 19. Villanueva, 20, is enjoying a solid rookie season for the Raptors, sitting third in scoring among first-year players (11.9) and fourth in rebounds (5.2). Fellow Raptor rookies Jose Calderon and Joey Graham were not named to the team. Villanueva will be joined by Milwaukee Bucks centre Andrew Bogut _ the first overall pick in the 2005 draft - and New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul, who leads all first-year players in points (16.3), assists (7.4) and minutes played (35.8). The second-year all-stars will be led by Orlando Magic power forward Dwight Howard, Philadelphia 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala and Chicago Bulls teammates Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni. The Sophomores won last year's game 133-106 behind 31 points from Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony.