Spurs' Ginobili replaces Yao in rookie game

NEW YORK - San Antonio Spurs guard Emanuel Ginobili will replace Houston Rockets center Yao Ming in the Rookie Challenge game February 8 during NBA All-Star weekend. <br> <br> Yao won&#39;t play in the rookie game because he was chosen in fan voting to start for the Western Conference in the All-Star game February 9 in Atlanta. <br> <br> Ginobili, originally drafted by the Spurs in 1999, played the last four seasons in the Italian League. This season, he is averaging 5.1 points and 3.1 steals (which ranks fourth in the NBA). <br> <br> The Rookie Challenge features the last two classes of rookies. Nine of the best second-year players will square off against the top rookies from this season. <br> <br> This is the fourth year of the rookie versus sophomore format.