Bulls' Rose excused from All-Star rookie game

By foxsports
Published

Derrick Rose has been excused from the rookie challenge at All-Star weekend and will be replaced by Golden State's Anthony Morrow.

Rose, last season's Rookie of the Year, was selected as a reserve for the All-Star game and is competing in the skills challenge as the defending champion of the event. Because that would have meant events on three straight nights, the NBA announced Tuesday that the Chicago point guard could skip the rookie game.

Players in their first two seasons selected for the All-Star game are typically required to compete in the game between rookies and sophomores on Friday night of All-Star weekend.

Rose will defend his skills challenge title against fellow All-Stars Steve Nash of Phoenix and Deron Williams of Utah, plus rookie Brandon Jennings of Milwaukee. Rose last year became the first rookie to win the event, which is an obstacle course consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting.

Morrow is averaging 11.5 points.