"LaMarcus Aldridge has cracked the NBA All-Star barrier.

The 26-year-old Trail Blazers forward will play for the Western Conference in the league's 62nd annual All-Star game Feb. 26 at Orlando.

The NBA announced Thursday that the 6-11, 240-pound Blazer captain is one of the seven Western Conference reserves for the game, which will be televised by TNT.

The second pick in the 2006, Aldridge has overcome heart ailments to become the Blazers' leader, especially since the retirement of former All-Star guard Brandon Roy before the start of this season.

Aldridge just missed making the All-Star game last season. He was named third-team all-NBA after the Blazers reached the playoffs and lost to eventual champion Dallas in the first round. He finished 2010-11 with 21.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting .500 from the field and .791 from the free-throw line.

This season, Aldridge is averaging 23.2 points (fifth in the NBA), 8.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.8 blocks, shooting .509 and .788."