Portland, Ore. – Many fans still hope to seem him play in the main event, but Brandon Roy will be part of NBA All-Star Weekend, no matter what.

KGW graphic

Roy and teammate LaMarcus Aldridge have been chosen to play in the 2008 Rookie Challenge game. The second year players will be part of the “Sophomore” team that plays against a team of the top rookies. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. Pacific on February 15th.

Many Blazers fans hope Roy will also be selected as a reserve for the Western Conference All-Star team, when they are announced next week. Roy was a back-to-back Western Conference Player of the Week in December, and has lead the Blazers to 26-18 record.

The NBA All-Star Weekend runs February 15-17 at the New Orleans Arena. It is the latest major sporting event to be held in New Orleans, with efforts aimed at helping the area rebuild following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Other major events included the 2008 BCS college football championship game, the 2008 Sugar Bowl, and Arena Bowl 21, the Arena Football League’s championship game, played in July of 2007, also at the New Orleans Arena.