CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Forward Emeka Okafor of the Charlotte Bobcats will not play in the NBA Rookie Challenge during All-Star weekend because of an ankle sprain.
He suffered the injury on Jan. 30 against the Los Angeles Lakers and re-injured it Feb. 11 against Miami, the day he was re-activated from the injured list.
Okafor has missed eight of Charlotte's last nine games overall.
"I'm disappointed that I will be unable to play during the NBA All-Star weekend, but I want to do what's right for myself and the Charlotte Bobcats," he said Thursday.
Okafor, the second overall pick in the NBA Draft in 2004 out of Connecticut, has averaged 14.8 points, 11 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in 42 games this season. He was slated to play for the East.
