Grizzlies rookie guard Juan Carlos Navarro will have to settle on playing for the rookie team in the Rookie Challenge, which is held during the NBA All-Star weekend.

The Grizzlies long distance bomber was hoping to participate in the Three-Point Shootout. But his name was not among the six participants chosen. The NBA announced the five players who will challenge defending champion Jason Kapono of Toronto. Among them are four of the top 3-point shooters in the league this year - Daniel Gibson of Cleveland, Steve Nash of Phoenix, Richard Hamilton of Detroit and 2002 and 2003 3-point champ Peja Stojakovic.

The surprise participant is Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant. While Navarro has seen his 3-point percentage dip to .391 recenttly, tying him for 38th in the league, that’s still a far cry from Bryant.

Bryant is the fifth-best 3-point shooter on his own team. He currently ranks 74th in the league, hitting on just 35.3 percent of his long range shots. He may repeat as the All-Star Game’s MVP, but I wouldn’t put my money on him winning the 3-point contest.