New Orleans Pelicans: Top 10 NBA Draft in franchise history

4. Darren Collison (PG) — No. 21 pick in 2009 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Hornets, 2009-10):  76 GP, 12.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 47.7 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 85.1 FT%

Darren Collison has carved out a solid eight-year NBA career with little fanfare. That career started off with a season in New Orleans.

Collison came into the league after four years at UCLA. Two of those years saw the Bruins reach the Final Four. He was one of the higher-anticipated prospects after finishing his sophomore season averaging 14.4 points and 4.7 assists per game on 50.9 percent shooting. The Hornets drafted him, slotting him in as a backup point guard behind All-Star Chris Paul.

However, Collison ended up getting more opportunities than one would expect a rookie in his position to receive. Paul dealt with injuries throughout the season, allowing Collison to pick up 37 starts throughout the year. He didn’t waste those chances.

In 76 games, Collison averaged 12.4 points and 5.7 assists per game. He picked up 14 double-doubles and one triple-double. The triple-double consisted of 18 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a win over the Indiana Pacers. Collison loved to dish the ball, coming away with seven instances of 14 or more assists. His highest total was 20 in a March win over the Golden State Warriors.

For his work, Collison managed to make the All-Rookie First Team. He was fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, earning one first place vote.

With his stock high, the Hornets traded Collison to the Pacers in August 2010 as part of a four-team trade. As Chris Paul left the following summer, one has to wonder how things would have gone if Collison had become the starting point guard following his departure.