Millsap, Williams will play in Rookie-Sophomore Challenge

Paul Millsap will make his first appearance. Deron Williams is going again.

The two Jazz youngsters were named Wednesday to play in the annual Rookie-Sophomore Challenge game during NBA All-Star Game Weekend later this month, an opportunity both seem to genuinely welcome.

"It's definitely a great honor to be in that two years in a row," said Williams, who played as a rookie last year and this year will be joined on the sophomore team by former University of Utah star Andrew Bogut of the Milwaukee Bucks. "I'm just happy to play, happy to be part of All-Star Weekend."

Williams, though, has a much-larger goal in mind.

The Jazz point guard seems to know he's a long shot to play in the actual All-Star Game itself, but he is having a season at least worthy of consideration — and makes no bones about just how much he'd like to be tapped when Western Conference reserves are named tonight.

"Definitely that would be a dream come true," he said. "I mean, every player in this league wants to be an All-Star."

Millsap may want to be as well, though truth be told he's just happy be playing as much as he has been for the Jazz this season.

"I never thought about (being named to the Rookie team)," Millsap said when asked what was on his mind back in June, when he was a second-round selection in the 2006 NBA Draft. "All I wanted to do was just get in and get a little playing time. That was my main goal for my first year.

"But now I've got a little confidence," he added, "so you may as well keep up the good work."

HEALTHY LIVING: After Jazz starting forward Carlos Boozer sustained his third major injury in as many seasons with a hairline fracture on his fibula bone head, Jazz center Mehmet Okur — who hasn't missed a game in two-and-a-half seasons in Utah, a span of 227 straight after Wednesday's win over San Antonio — offered up his secret to durability.

It involves good fortune, a good diet and wise use of down-time.

"Maybe I'm lucky. I rest a lot, eat well," he said. "That's my life: Practice, game and rest."

ALL-STAR ENDORSEMENT: Both John Hollinger and Bill Walton of ESPN think Jazz season scoring — and rebounding-leader Boozer deserves an All-Star Game invite, but neither makes mention of Okur in their ESPN.com assessments of deserving candidates.

Boozer also got an endorsement last Sunday from the Chicago Sun-Times' John Jackson.

TRADE TALK: According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, "Don't think the (Andrei) Kirilenko (trade) rumors were ever really alive. I haven't found one executive who thinks Kirilenko was ever really available."

Stein's comments on in an online chat confirm what both coach Jerry Sloan and Jazz basketball operations senior vice president Kevin O'Connor previously have made quite clear.

MISC.: Former Jazz point guard Jacque Vaughn was scoreless in eight minutes off the bench for San Antonio ... The Jazz's sellout Wednesday's was their 13th in 23 home games this season ... In the crowd: Retired Jazz shooting guard Jeff Hornacek, now living in the Phoenix area.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com