2008-09 News and Features

Hard work pays off for Thad in Rookie-Sophomore nod

For second year forward Thaddeus Young, the hard work and blue-collar work ethic he displays every day at practice – including the individual shooting drills with assistant coach John Loyer – and during every game was bound to pay dividends sooner rather than later.

Despite performing in the shadows of teammates Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand and Andre Miller, Young finally had the spotlight turn to him when it was announced that he was elected by the league’s assistant coaches to participate in the upcoming Rookie-Sophomore game during All-Star Weekend in Phoenix. The game will be played 7:00pm at USAirways Arena on Friday, February 13, 2009.

“It’s definitely a great opportunity and I want to thank everybody who voted for me and gave me this honor,” Young said. “I’m going to go out there and play as hard as I can to give the fans a show.”

Young becomes the Sixers first representative in an All-Star Weekend event since the 2005-06 season. Moreover, he not only becomes the 10th player in franchise history to participate in the Rookie Challenge, but he has some big shoes to fill: Both Allen Iverson (1997) and Andre Iguodala (2006) were named MVPs of the game. But the weekend includes more than just the game itself, as Young will be immersed in All-Star activities, including media availabilities, team meetings, practices and other extracurricular events.

But earning a spot in this game and winning it’s MVP award are just the tip of the iceberg for Young.

“It’s always a goal if you’re a first- or second-year player, just to get out there and be a part of All-Star Weekend,” Young said. “But future goals are being an All-Star and winning an NBA Championship. That’s the main focus.”

So, does he have anything special planned for his first appearance at All-Star Weekend? Say, a pass to himself off the backboard for a dunk? Or some other trick up his sleeve to turn the focus on himself?

True to form, Young was as humble in his response as he was when he heard he made the team.

“Just going out there to have a great time and give the fans a show,” Young said. “That’s what All-Star is all about.”

HISTORY OF SIXERS IN THE ROOKIE-SOPHOMORE CHALLENGE

• 2009 – Thaddeus Young
• 2006 – Andre Iguodala (MVP)
• 2005 – Andre Iguodala
• 2005 – Kyle Korver
• 2000 – Todd MacCulloch
• 1998 – Tim Thomas
• 1997 – Allen Iverson (MVP)
• 1996 – Jerry Stackhouse
• 1995 – Sharone Wright
• 1994 – Shawn Bradley