Head earns nod for Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam

Damien Pierce
Rockets.com Staff Writer

HOUSTON -- Luther Head will get a second shot at the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam.

The Rockets sharpshooter, a participant as a rookie in last season's youth showcase game, has been selected along with eight other second-year stars to suit up for the Sophomores in the opening event of the 2007 All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas.

Head paced the rookies by matching Charlie Villanueva for a team-high 18 points in last season's rookie-sophomore game.

"It's fun playing in games like this," Head said. "It's an honor to be recognized for something that you work hard doing."

Head entered Wednesday's game against Seattle as the Rockets' leading scorer off the bench with 11.2 points per game. His 44 percent shooting from beyond the arc ranks sixth in the NBA and could earn him a spot in the All-Star Weekend's Three-Point Challenge.

Joining Head on the Sophomore team are Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut, the Los Angeles Lakers' Andrew Bynum, Golden State's Monta Ellis, Charlotte's Raymond Felton, Indiana's Danny Granger, New York's David Lee, New Orleans/Oklahoma City's Chris Paul and Utah's Deron Williams.

The Rookie Team is comprised of Toronto's Andrea Bargnani and Jorge Garbajosa, Los Angeles Lakers' Jordan Farmar, Minnesota's Randy Foye, Memphis' Rudy Gay, Utah's Paul Millsap, Charlotte's Adam Morrison, Portland's Brandon Roy and New Jersey's Marcus Williams.

Head said he was looking forward to teaming up with Deron Williams again since the guards were teammates at Illinios.

"I got to play with one of my teammates again for the first time in a while last year and I'll get to do it again," Head said of playing with Williams. "He's always looking out for me (on the floor). It just comes natural because we've been playing together for so long."