July 8, 2009
The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed first round pick Darren Collison and second round pick Marcus Thornton. Collison was selected by the Hornets with the 21st overall pick, while Thornton was selected with the 43rd overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, New Orleans acquired him in a trade for two future second round picks.
“We’re excited to have Darren and Marcus officially signed so that they can begin their NBA careers,” said General Manager Jeff Bower. “We look forward to their Hornets debut in summer league and to watching them develop as we head toward the start of the regular season.”
Both players will be part of the Hornets entry in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. The Hornets will play their first summer league game Sunday, July 12 vs. San Antonio.
Collison, who played four seasons at UCLA, averaged 14.4 points, 4.7 assists and 1.6 steals and was a First Team All-Pac-10 selection as a senior in 2008-09. Darren was also the winner of the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, for the nation's best player six-feet or under. Collison was named to AP All-America Third Team as a junior and Honorable Mention AP All-American as a senior. He finished his career 16th in UCLA history in points scored (1,639) and tied for first for career games played (142) and second in wins (117).
Thornton, finished his career at LSU after spending his first two years at Kilgore Community College. The Baton Rouge native was named the SEC’s Player of the Year following his senior season after averaging 21.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists. In just two seasons at LSU, he finished with 1,347 points, 21st all time for the Tigers. His 20.4 scoring average is sixth-best all time and he finished eighth in school history with 168 three-pointers.
