Jan. 5, 2009

Senior point guard Darren Collison (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Etiwanda HS) of the UCLA men's basketball team was selected as the UCLA/Muscle Milk Student-Athlete of the Week for Dec. 29-Jan. 4.

Collison averaged 19.0 points, 6.5 assists (13 assists and just two turnovers), 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in UCLA's two victories last week. The Bruins opened Pac-10 play with two road victories, defeating Oregon State 69-46 on Jan. 2 and Oregon 83-74 on Jan. 4. Collison shot 68.4 percent (13-for-19) from the field, 50.0 percent (3-for-6) from three-point range and made 100.0 percent (9-for-9) from the free-throw line for the week. He opened the week with a game-high-tying 16 points and added four assists, three rebounds and three steals against the Beavers. Collison poured in 22 points and added a game-high nine assists (compared to one turnover) to go along with two boards at Oregon. Collison had a record-breaking performance against the Ducks, extending his consecutive made free throw streak to 40, making all nine of his attempts. That mark is a UCLA record, surpassing Henry Bibby's 36 straight in 1972. Collison leads the nation in free-throw percentage, sinking 97.6 percent (41-for-42) on the season.

This is Collison's first UCLA/Muscle Milk Student-Athlete of the Week honor of the season and sixth of his career.

Also nominated: Yasi Jahanshahi, W. Swimming & Diving; Erica Tukiainen, W. Basketball.