Darren Collison leaves NOH...

... for summer school.

New Orleans Hornets point guard Darren Collison granted permission to leave summer league team

Published: Monday, July 12, 2010, 9:54 AM
Updated: Monday, July 12, 2010, 12:30 PM
John Reid, The Times Picayune

LAS VEGAS --New Orleans Hornets point guard Darren Collison was granted permission by Coach Monty Williams on Monday morning to leave the summer league team so he can enroll in summer school at UCLA.

Collison said he is one class from earning his bachelor degree in history. He sat out Sunday night’s game against the Miami Heat because of a bruised right knee. At 0-2, the Hornets have three summer league games remaining and they play the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.

“Darren soaked up everything, and it’s exciting because I know once we get into the season he’s going to soak it up even more,’’ Williams said. “I think he has the ability to run a team right now. I’m happy with his work ethic and we’ll see how it goes as the summer progresses.’’

In his only summer league game on Friday night against the Golden State Warriors, Collison had nine points and seven assists. But during the fourth quarter, Collison bumped into Warriors forward Brandan Wright on a pick-and-roll play and injured his right knee.

Meanwhile, Collison continues to acknowledge that he remains on the trading block, though he appears to be in the Hornets’ plans for this upcoming season.

“The trade talks definitely motivates and fuels me,’’ Collison said. “No matter where I got to play, I’m going to help that team win.’’
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Hornets allow Collison to leave summer league
AP, USA Today


NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Hornets have granted second-year guard Darren Collison permission to leave the club's Las Vegas summer league squad.
Hornets spokesman Dennis Rogers says Collison wants to enroll in a summer class at UCLA.

Collison bruised his right knee in the Hornets' opening summer league game against Golden State on Friday, but played through it before sitting out the Hornets' next game against Miami on Sunday.

Rogers says Collison's departure is unrelated to his knee and stems only from his desire to take the last class he needs for his degree.

Collison spent a week with the team in Las Vegas, participating fully in four days of practices with new coach Monty Williams' staff before Friday's opening game.