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Sixers' Embiid receives NBA All-Star game snub

Joel Embiid was snubbed.

Despite being one of the NBA's most dominant players, the 76ers rookie was not selected as an Eastern Conference reserve for the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 19 in New Orleans.

The reserves, who were voted on by conference coaches, were announced on Thursday. The center was selected to compete in the Rising Stars Challenge along with teammates Jahlil Okafor and Dario Saric. The challenge, which will be played on Feb. 17 as part of the NBA All-Star weekend, pits the league's top rookies and second-year international players against their American counterparts.

However, Embiid attempted to become the first rookie since Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin, in 2011, to play in the game. And Embiid also attempted to become the first Sixers' representative in the league's annual talent showcase since Jrue Holiday in 2013.

After the news was announced, Embiid offered this reaction on Twitter:

Charles Barkley criticized the snub on TNT after the rosters were revealed on the network's NBA pregame show Thursday night.

"I thought that the NBA should have rewarded Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers," the former Sixers star said. "I thought it would have been just great for what they are doing for the city of Philadelphia… He's great for the league, and if he and Ben Simmons can stay healthy, they'll be monsters for the next 10-15 years."

The conference coaches voted Indiana Pacers forward Paul George, Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love, Toronto Raptors point guard and Philadelphia native Kyle Lowry, Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap, Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas, Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker and Washington Wizards point guard John Wall as reserves.

Cavaliers forward LeBron James, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler, Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan and Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving were named conference starters in a vote by fans, selected media members and current players.

The Western Conference reserves are Sacramento Kings power forward/center DeMarcus Cousins, Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green, Utah Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward, Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson and Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook.

Houston Rockets point guard James Harden, Warriors point guard Steph Curry, Warriors small forward Kevin Durant, New Orleans Pelicans power forward/center Anthony Davis and San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard as the conference starters.

Since being taken third overall in 2014, Embiid has had to survive an arduous journey just to get on the basketball court.

He missed his first two seasons after having surgeries to repair the navicular bone in his right foot in June 2014 and August 2015.

There was a time when his participating on a five-on-five scrimmage let alone a game appeared to be wishful thinking. He even considered walking away from basketball after his brother was killed in an accident on Oct. 14, 2014, in his native Cameroon.

But the 7-foot-2, 270-pounder has been one of the league top young talents. He is the Eastern Conference player of the week.  The 22-year-old was also named the conference's rookie of the month in November and December.

Embiid, who missed the last two games with a left knee bruise, is averaging 19.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.47 blocks per game. He's the first player since Shaquille O'Neal with the Orlando Magic in the 1992-93 season to have totals that high through his first 29 career games.

The impressive thing is that Embiid has produced those numbers while playing just 25.3 minutes per game.

Griffin, Yao Ming (Houston Rockets, 2003), Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs, 1998), Grant Hill (Detroit Pistons, 1995),  O'Neal (Orlando Magic, 1993), Dikembe Mutombo (Denver Nuggets, 1992), David Robinson (San Antonio Spurs, 1990), Patrick Ewing (New York Knicks, 1986), Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls, 1985) and Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets, 1985) were  the last 10 rookies selected to the All-Star Game. There have been 45 rookies named all-stars.

kpompey@phillynews.com