Two Raptors Given Nod To Play In Rookie All-Star Game
Posted January 31, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Two Toronto Raptors rookies will join the league’s young elite after being chosen to partake in the 2007 Rookie Challenge game during the NBA all-star weekend.
Forwards Andrea Bargnani and Jorge Garbajosa will represent Toronto, making coach Sam Mitchell proud.
“I think those guys are excited and we’re happy for them, it’s well deserved,” said Mitchell. “That’s one of the few festivities I watch, I watch the things that my guys are in.”
Both players are anxiously awaiting the Feb. 16 game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
“I’m very happy, it will be a very nice experience, so I’m very excited,” said Bargnani, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.
Mitchell believes the honour will help Garbajosa’s confidence.
“It was kind of under the radar signing Garbajosa, nobody really knew who he was or knew much about him outside the NBA circle,” said Mitchell. “And the fact is he stepped in and he’s showing people that he belongs and he’s an NBA player.”
Garbajosa joined the Raptors as a free agent last summer.
“It’s an exciting thing, when the day arrives, it will be a great day for me,” said Garbajosa. “But I want to be focused now on my team.”
