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2008 KANSAS BASKETBALL
Rush proves critics wrong
BY MARK DENT
mdent@kansan.com
Brandon Rush smiled as he sat down next to Bill Self on the bench during the scrimmage at "Late Night in the Phog." Ten of his teammates circled around mid-court as the ball went up, signifying the first practice of the season.
All Rush could do was watch.
He chatted with his coach for a while, and his smile turned into a laugh. He did some coaching of his own.
"I just subbed a few people in and out and told Rio to keep shooting." Rush said afterwards.
Self left Rush's side to sit on the opposite bench. The smile was still on Rush's face, but it wasn't a content smile. Look at the scar on his knee, and you'll find out why.
The scar is from his ACL injury and surgery. It made him pull out of the NBA Draft, and it made him sit on the bench.
But Rush, a junior guard, told curious media nearly every day he would be fine. He's dealt with other scars before. Not physical
ones; scars on his reputation.
The scar of living up to the expectations set by two older brothers. He healed that one fine.
The scar of an unwarranted reputation for being lazy, being a team cancer. That one's gone, too.
Now he has to heal this final physical scar. Rush had a season to silence the doubters by fixing the flaws in his game, becoming the go-to guy fans demand and proving himself worthy of a first round pick in the NBA Draft again.
FAMILY BUSINESS
Before Rush graduated elementary school his brothers were already high school basketball legends.
JaRon and Kareem Rush became Kansas City,Mo's favorite basketball duo at Pembroke Hill High School. JaRon had the athleticism. He once shattered a backboard after a dunk in the state playoffs. Kareem was the shooter. His left-handed stroke was deadly from nearly anywhere on the court.
Jon Goering/KANSAN
Junior guard Brandon Rush draws contact on a drive to the basket during overtime, but officials didn't call a foul. Rush grabbed the rebound and scored the bucket.
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA