Brooklyn Nets: History of Nets in Rising Stars Challenge
By Phil Watson
2007: Marcus Williams
Rookie guard Marcus Williams got the nod in 2007, as the NBA All-Star festivities were held in a non-NBA city for the first time.
Williams played for the Rookies at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, logging 21 minutes off the bench and scoring four points with six assists and two steals, hitting just 2-of-8 from the floor and missing both of his 3-point attempts.
The game itself was no contest, as the Sophomore cruised to a 155-114 win. MVP David Lee of the New York Knicks scored 30 points with 11 rebounds and two blocks, setting a record for the game that still stands by hitting 14-of-14 from the floor.
2006: Nenad Krstic
Second-year center Nenad Krstic was the first member of the New Jersey Nets selected for the Rookie Challenge in three years.
The Serbian big man played 21 minutes and finished with eight points, six rebounds, a steal and a block, making only 3-of-10 shots in the game. He was 1-for-2 from deep, however, and helped the Sophomores to a 106-96 win at Toyota Center in Houston.
The MVP went to Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers, who scored 30 points with four steals for the Sophomores.