NEW YORK, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Defending champion Ray Allen of the Milwaukee Bucks heads a list of eight players selected for the Feb. 9 Shootout during All-Star Weekend at the First Union Center in Philadelphia.
Allen made 10 straight shots in the final round of last year's competition to edge Sacramento's Peja Stojakovic for his first career title.
Allen is the only former winner in this year's
field and is trying to become the fifth repeat winner. He is shooting 44 percent (90-for-206) from 3-point range in 28 games this season.
Stojakovic, who is shooting 40 percent (70-for-159) from beyond the arc in 35 games, will try to become the first winner from a Pacific Division team since Dale Ellis of the Seattle SuperSonics in 1989.
Wesley Person of the Cleveland Cavaliers is making his first appearance in the shootout. Person, who played in the 1995 Rookie Game during All-Star Weekend, is fourth in the NBA in three-point percentage, making 67 of 142 attempts (47 percent).
San Antonio's Steve Smith, who is shooting an NBA-best 56.5 percent (70-for-124) from behind the arc, also was selected.
Orlando Magic swingman Mike Miller, last season's Rookie of the Year, will participate in the Rookie Challenge and the Shootout.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Quentin Richardson, also in his second year, will take part in both.
Boston's Paul Pierce, who is second in the NBA in scoring at 26.7 points per game and expected to join Allen on the Eastern Conference All-Star team, also is participating in the shootout.
Steve Nash of the Dallas Mavericks is the only pure point guard in the competition. Nash, who is averaging 18.9 points and 7.9 assists, has made 79-of-173 3-pointers.
The first prize in the shootout is $25,000.
