While he won't be taking part in the game itself, Palo Alto High grad Jeremy Lin will represent the hometown Houston Rockets during the NBA's All-Star Game weekend.

Lin will compete in the All-Star Skills Challenge, the NBA announced Thursday. The event is scheduled for Saturday as part of the league's All-Star Saturday Night festivities at Toyota Center.

The six-man field also includes Philadelphia's Jrue Holiday, defending champion Tony Parker of San Antonio, Detroit's Brandon Knight, Portland rookie Damian Lillard and Atlanta's Jeff Teague.
The event will pit the Eastern Conference players against the Western Conference players. The competition will raise money for charity.

The players will compete in a two-round timed "obstacle course" that includes dribbling, passing and shooting stations.

It was also announced Thursday that Lin has launched a charitable foundation that will benefit three Houston organizations helping underprivileged children.

''I feel like this was always something that I wanted to do,'' Lin said. ''I didn't know I could do it at this level and be able to have a foundation and do an event like this.''

The 24-year-old Lin is a year removed from his meteoric rise to international stardom in New York, the phenomenon dubbed Linsanity. Lin is averaging 12.6 points and 6.2 assists from his point-guard position and has helped the Rockets to a 29-26 record this season.

— Palo Alto Online Sports

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.