Eight of the nine rookies selected for the Rookie-Sophomore game at All-Star weekend later this month were lottery picks.
The other? That would be Nets rookie guard MarShon Brooks.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” Brooks said before the Nets’ 99-92 loss to the the Pistons last night at the Prudential Center. “For somebody coming out of high school that didn’t really get too much attention, always being an underdog. … It’s just a testament hard work, honestly. I’m just real proud of myself.”
Brooks, whom the Nets acquired from the Celtics in a draft night trade last June, has been one of the bright spots in what has otherwise been a frustrating season for the Nets. The 6-foot-5 guard, who was taken 25th overall, is second among all NBA rookies in scoring, averaging 14.8 points per game.
“[He’s] definitely a steal,” coach Avery Johnson said. “Whenever you can get a guy that you think is probably going to go in the top 15, and he can fall to you like that, and then you can maneuver a little bit like [Nets general manager] Billy [King] did to be in the right spot to take him, it’s great.
Unfortunately for the Nets, Brooks has been on the sidelines lately after landing on the team’s ever-growing injury list. Last night’s game was the sixth in a row Brooks had missed because of a broken pinkie toe.
Brooks admitted that he was concerned about being selected to the game because of the injury, but said that it wouldn’t prevent him from playing in the game, and, though the Nets have ruled him out of their games in Detroit tomorrow and at home against San Antonio on Saturday, said he expects to be back soon.
“[I’m] just picking it up slowly. Just trying to change speed, change pace, stuff like that … jumping up and down and things, that’s not really a problem.
“Every day it’s improving. I’m doing a lot of icing, so once we get the swelling out, I think I’ll be good.”
This year’s Rookie-Sophomore game will have a different format than previous versions. Instead of having the two classes square off against one another, TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will draft competing teams from the 18 players who were selected.
“I’m actually excited for the new format,” Brooks said. “Obviously I would like to play rookies versus sophomores, but I’m looking forward to playing for either Charles or Shaq.”
Who would Brooks prefer to play for?
“Honestly, in most cases I would pick Shaq over a lot of people,” he said, smiling. “But Charles Barkley’s right there. … There should be a lot of laughs.”
tbontemps@nypost.com