NEW ORLEANS -- Hornets rookie Darren Collison has been on fire lately.
The most recent sign that the stars are aligning for the first-year point guard: He was named the Western Conference rookie of the month on Monday.
He becomes the fifth Hornets in franchise history to earn the honor and the first since Chris Paul, Collison's mentor, earned the award during his rookie season in 2005-06.
Among rookies, Collison ranked first in scoring (21.6 points per game), assists (8.3), steals (1.8) and minutes (41.7) during the month of February. He became the first rookie since Allen Iverson in 1997 to have scoring and assist averages that high.
He recorded his first career triple-career on Feb. 19 in a 102-93 win over Indiana, scoring 18 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and dishing out 12 assists.
"It is a huge honor for me to win this award," Collison said. "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."
Collison has started 22 games this season in place of Paul, who has missed with ankle and knee injuries. He's averaging 19 points, 3.7 rebounds, 8 assists and 1.5 steals as a starter.
Additionally, he recorded seven streight games of at least 18 points and nine assists, the first rookie to do that since Oscar Robertson did it eight straight times in 1960-61.
The Hornets host San Antonio tonight at 7 p.m.
