1998 NBA Rookie Game - East 85, West 80

The fifth annual NBA Rookie Game was played on February 7, 1998, at Madison Square Garden in New York City during NBA All-Star Weekend. The Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 85-80 in the final edition of the event to feature only first-year NBA players. Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas earned Most Valuable Player honors after scoring 18 points, collecting seven rebounds and blocking two shots.

The 1998 game brought together members of the 1997 NBA Draft class and several other players making their NBA debuts. The Eastern Conference featured Keith Van Horn, Ron Mercer, Chauncey Billups, Tracy McGrady and Ilgauskas, while the Western Conference included Bobby Jackson, Antonio Daniels, Maurice Taylor, Danny Fortson and Kelvin Cato. The two teams were coached by former NBA stars Willis Reed and Dave DeBusschere.

The game also highlighted an interesting characteristic of the NBA's rookie eligibility rules. Ilgauskas had been selected by Cleveland in the 1996 NBA Draft, but foot injuries prevented him from playing during the 1996-97 season. As a result, the 1997-98 campaign was his official rookie season, allowing him to participate in the 1998 Rookie Game.

The Western Conference controlled the first half, taking a 42-38 advantage into halftime. Denver Nuggets guard Bobby Jackson helped establish the pace, while Vancouver Grizzlies guard Antonio Daniels and Sacramento Kings center Michael Stewart contributed efficient scoring performances.

Jackson finished with 15 points, seven assists and four steals, providing the West with a strong all-around effort. Daniels added 14 points on seven-of-11 shooting, while Stewart contributed 13 points and six rebounds. Los Angeles Clippers forward Maurice Taylor scored 12 points and collected six rebounds.

The Eastern Conference responded after halftime behind Ilgauskas and Van Horn. Ilgauskas was particularly effective around the basket, making eight of his 10 field-goal attempts. His combination of size, touch and rebounding helped the East establish a stronger interior presence during the second half.

Van Horn finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, recording the game's only double-double. Cleveland's Cedric Henderson added 14 points, while Billups and McGrady each scored nine. Boston Celtics guard Ron Mercer contributed eight points, and Cleveland point guard Brevin Knight handed out eight assists.

The East outscored the West 47-38 in the second half to secure the five-point victory. Its superior rebounding was a major factor, as the Eastern Conference collected 38 rebounds compared with 29 for the West. The East also shot 53.0 percent from the field, while the West finished at 49.3 percent.

Ilgauskas received the MVP award after leading the winning team in scoring. He became the first international player to win the Rookie Game MVP award, an early milestone in a career that would eventually include two NBA All-Star selections and more than a decade with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The event also featured several players who would become important NBA figures. Billups later won the 2004 NBA Finals MVP award with the Detroit Pistons, while McGrady became a seven-time All-Star and two-time NBA scoring champion. Van Horn developed into a productive scorer, and Jackson became one of the league's most effective reserve guards.

The 1998 game was the last Rookie Game before the NBA canceled the 1999 All-Star Weekend because of the league's labor dispute. When the competition returned in 2000, it adopted a new format matching first-year players against second-year players. That change marked the beginning of the Rookie Challenge's next era.

Date: February 7, 1998
Arena: Madison Square Garden
Location: New York, New York
Attendance: 18,232
Final Score: East 85, West 80
Halftime Score: West 42, East 38
Most Valuable Player: Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland Cavaliers
MVP Statistics: 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks
East Leading Scorer: Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 18 points
West Leading Scorer: Bobby Jackson, 15 points
Leading Rebounder: Keith Van Horn, 10 rebounds
Leading Assists: Brevin Knight, 8 assists
East Coach: Willis Reed
West Coach: Dave DeBusschere

Head Coach: Willis Reed | Result: Won 85-80

Head Coach: Dave DeBusschere | Result: Lost 85-80

Zydrunas Ilgauskas Wins MVP

Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas earned MVP honors with 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots. The Lithuanian center became the first international winner of the award.

Keith Van Horn Records a Double-Double

New Jersey Nets forward Keith Van Horn scored 17 points and collected 10 rebounds, helping the Eastern Conference dominate the glass.

Three Cleveland Cavaliers Participate

Ilgauskas, Cedric Henderson and Brevin Knight all represented Cleveland. The three players combined for 33 points and 12 assists.

Tracy McGrady Makes Rookie Game Appearance

Toronto Raptors rookie Tracy McGrady scored nine points in 10 minutes. McGrady later developed into a seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time scoring champion.

Chauncey Billups Records Seven Assists

Boston Celtics guard Chauncey Billups contributed nine points, five rebounds and seven assists. He would later lead Detroit to the 2004 NBA championship.

Rodrick Rhodes Records Five Steals

Houston Rockets rookie Rodrick Rhodes recorded five steals and eight assists for the Western Conference.

Bobby Jackson Leads the West

Denver Nuggets guard Bobby Jackson scored 15 points, handed out seven assists and recorded four steals.

Willis Reed and Dave DeBusschere Coach the Teams

Former New York Knicks teammates and Hall of Famers Willis Reed and Dave DeBusschere coached the Eastern and Western Conference teams, respectively, at Madison Square Garden.

Final Rookie-Only Matchup

The 1998 event was the last NBA Rookie Game to match two teams consisting entirely of first-year players. The competition returned in 2000 with rookies facing sophomores.

No 1999 NBA Rookie Game

The NBA's 1999 All-Star Weekend was canceled during the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, leaving a one-year gap in the competition's history.

1998 NBA All-Star Weekend

The Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 135-114 in the main NBA All-Star Game on February 8, 1998. Michael Jordan earned MVP honors, and Utah Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek won the Three-Point Shootout. The NBA did not hold a Slam Dunk Contest that year.

Who won the 1998 NBA Rookie Game?

The Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 85-80.

Who was the 1998 NBA Rookie Game MVP?

Zydrunas Ilgauskas of the Cleveland Cavaliers won MVP after scoring 18 points and collecting seven rebounds.

When and where was the game played?

The game took place on February 7, 1998, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Who led the Western Conference in scoring?

Bobby Jackson of the Denver Nuggets scored 15 points.

Did Tracy McGrady play in the 1998 Rookie Game?

Yes. McGrady represented the Toronto Raptors and scored nine points in 10 minutes.

Who coached the teams?

Willis Reed coached the East, while Dave DeBusschere coached the West.

Was there a Rookie Game in 1999?

No. The NBA canceled the 1999 All-Star Weekend because of the league's labor dispute.

What changed after the 1998 Rookie Game?

The NBA introduced a rookies-versus-sophomores format when the competition resumed in 2000.

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