From the New Orleans Hornets Official Website:

The NBA announced today that New Orleans Hornets point guard Darren Collison was selected as the Western Conference Rookie of the Month presented by T-Mobile for the month of February. The honor is the first of Collison's career and the first for a Hornet since Chris Paul won the award each month of his rookie season in 2005-06. Collison is the fifth Hornet in franchise history to win the award (Paul, Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, J.R. Smith).

"It is a huge honor for me to win this award," said Collison. "I have to give a lot of credit to my teammates, especially Chris Paul who is always there with advice and help for me, and the coaching staff for believing in me."

Among all rookies, Collison ranked first in scoring (21.6 ppg), assists (8.3 apg), steals (1.8 spg) and minutes (41.7 mpg) in February. He also recorded 3.9 rebounds during the month. Only one other rookie in the last 25 years had scoring and assist averages that high in the same month with a minimum of three games played: Allen Iverson (April 1997 -- 33.6 ppg, 8.7 apg).The rookie guard had seven straight games of at least 18 points and nine assists (2/8-2/24), only Oscar Robertson has had more consecutive games (8) of at least those numbers (1960-61 season).

The UCLA graduate recorded his first triple-double of his basketball career by collecting 18 points, a season-high 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a 102-93 win over Indiana on Feb. 19. Collison is the second rookie (Stephen Curry) to record a triple-double this season. Collison had a season-high 35 points (15-21 FG) and three assists in last night's 100-108 loss in Dallas. He recorded 26 points, nine assists, four rebounds and four steals in a 102-94 home win over the Houston Rockets on Feb. 21. In a 93-85 home win over the Boston Celtics on Feb. 10, he had 25 points, nine assists and four steals.

Collison has started 22 games, averaging 19.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.5 steals as a starter.