Rush returns to Kansas City after signing ABA contract

By AJ Cadman
Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Former UCLA standout JaRon Rush signed a professional basketball
contract on Monday with the Kansas City Knights of the resurrected
American Basketball Association. The fifth pick overall in the
league’s inaugural draft, Rush (’00) returns to the
place where a celebrated high school career catapulted the 6-foot-7
forward to Westwood two years ago.

Rush, 21, helped led Pembroke Hill High School to three
consecutive Missouri 2A boys state basketball championships from
1997-99.

“I feel this is a great opportunity to come back to Kansas
City and play and let my fans who are still in Kansas City come and
see me play again,” he said in a statement.

Undrafted in the NBA’s amateur draft in July, Rush’s
style of play is custom-made for the ABA 2000’s wide-open
style of offense. Bringing back the old ABA’s no-foul out
rule of the 1970s will coincide with the “3D Rule,”
where an extra point is awarded when a basket is made following a
back court turnover.

“He’s a very versatile player, and his game is
really suited for this league,” Kansas City head coach Kevin
Pritchard said in a statement. “What I really like is that he
plays hard all the time. He does everything he can to win the
game.”

Questions about his off-court problems, dating back to his high
school career in Kansas City and his time in the Bruin blue and
gold, have all but been forgotten with a second chance at his
professional basketball dreams.

“I think he has been humbled by what’s gone on
around him the last couple of years, and especially the last couple
of months,” Pritchard said. “He knows he has made some
poor decisions. He has not put the blame on anyone but
himself.”

The athletic talent has never been questioned for the 1999
All-Pac-10 Freshman Team performer. After averaging 11.4 points and
7.3 rebounds per contest during his first season for UCLA, Rush
posted a 12.1 ppg average in nine games last season. His baseline
jumper over then-No. 1 Stanford in his first game back from a
24-game suspension helped propel the Bruins into a berth in the
Sweet Sixteen of last year’s NCAA Tournament. Rush was
suspended for receiving improper money and benefits from a
non-scholastic AAU coach and sports agent.

Rush’s return home is marked by excitement and concern. In
a civil case against the AAU coach, from whom he took illegal
considerations, a grand jury forced Pembroke Hill to forfeit the
three state titles won during Rush’s high school career.
However, Rush’s family, friends and fans alike see his return
as an opportunity to see one of the state’s finest prep
performers take the stage at the next level.

“I was very disappointed I didn’t get drafted (into
the NBA),” Rush said. “Not getting drafted was a down
feeling. Fortunately, I have a support group that has helped me
move forward.

“I am going to work very hard. I am going to put in the
time and effort to make it.”

The ABA opens its first season after Christmas with a 60-game
schedule for each of the eight charter teams.

“¢bull; “¢bull; “¢bull;

Los Angeles will also feature a member of the newly formed ABA.
The Stars, under the guidance of former Laker head coach Paul
Westhead, will have former Laker and UCLA star Jamaal Wilkes in the
front office handling the duties of vice president of basketball
operations.

“Southern California is a hotbed of untapped basketball
talent just waiting for a chance to showcase their talents,”
Wilkes said.

The Stars have a Bruin flavor about them. With territorial draft
picks Ed O’Bannon and Tyus Edney along with with J.R.
Henderson and Kris Johnson as inaugural draft picks, the Stars hope
to build upon a strong L.A. basketball base when they begin play on
Dec. 26 at the Great Western Forum.

The Stars will hold an open tryout on Saturday, Nov. 18 at
Men’s Gym on the UCLA campus. Any serious players with the
skill and determination are encouraged to attend.

“If we can just find one or two of these local talents, we
can generate a lot of excitement in the local basketball
community,” Wilkes said.

For more information, please call the Los Angeles Stars at (310)
419-3131.