Sixers' Iguodala Named to First All-Star Game

It took eight years, but Andre Iguodala is finally an All-Star. Iguodala was named as a reserve on Thursday night to the Eastern Conference team of 12 that will face the Western Conference on Feb. 26. The reserves were voted on by the coaches in their respective conferences.


“I could not be more proud of Andre Iguodala for being recognized as an All-Star," Sixers head coach Doug Collins said in a statement. “Andre has meant so much to the success of our team this season and he is one of the most talented, unselfish players I have ever had the opportunity to coach – the entire 76ers organization, our coaching staff, his teammates and I are thrilled he will be representing us in this year's All-Star Game.”

Iguodala averages 13 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game this season. Only LeBron James boasts at least those numbers in all four categories this year, though his 28.5 points per game is a drastic difference. Still, one can’t ignore that Iguodala keeps strong company.

Earlier in the day, Iguodala said he would be in bible study with teammate Jrue Holiday when the announcement was to be made, but once he was named he did react on his Twitter account.

“The phone is blowing up... Thanks for the love... Truly a blessing...”

It will be the third All-Star weekend Iguodala has participated in. In 2005, his first year in the league, Iguodala played in the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge.

The following year he returned and helped the sophomores to victory and was named the game’s MVP. That same weekend, he was the runner-up to Nate Robinson in the slam dunk contest.

The last Sixer to play in the All-Star Game was Allen Iverson in 2006 when he made his seventh consecutive appearance. Iguodala is only the Sixers' fifth all-star since Charles Barkley was selected to his sixth straight game in 1992. Dana Barros, Allen Iverson, Theo Ratliff and Dikembe Mutombo are the other four.

Joining Iguodala as a reserve on the team is Boston’s Paul Pierce, Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, Indiana’s Roy Hibbert, Chicago’s Luol Deng, New Jersey’s Deron Williams and Miami’s Chris Bosh. Iguodala is one of five first-timers in the game.

The Western Conference reserves included Minnesota’s Kevin Love, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitski, Memphis’ Marc Gasol, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Phoenix’s Steve Nash and San Antonio’s Tony Parker.

The game’s starters, who were determined by the fan voting, were announced last week. They included Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard in the east.

Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and Andrew Bynum will open the game for the west.

E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com.