Brandon Rush
Encyclopedia
Brandon Leray Rush is an American
basketball
player. On July 15, 2008, Rush signed a contract to play basketball for the Indiana Pacers
. He was drafted in 2008 by the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers
. Rush played for the University of Kansas
in college for three seasons, including the 2007–2008 national championship team
. Rush was selected as a Wooden Award All-American in 2007 and again in 2008 while a player for the Kansas Jayhawks
. He is brothers with former UCLA guard JaRon Rush
and former Missouri
guard Kareem Rush
.
. After withdrawing from the 2005 NBA Draft
, Rush committed to play basketball for coach Bill Self
at the University of Kansas. He started at the small forward position in each game that season. Rush led the Jayhawks in scoring (13.5 points per game), rebounding (5.9) and three point shooting percentage (47.2%). He was instrumental in the team's Big 12 Conference championship run and was elected the conference Freshman of the Year. Also, Rush is the first freshman ever to be named to the First Team All-Big 12 (Kevin Durant
later did this the next year for the Texas Longhorns). He is also the younger brother of former NBA player Kareem Rush
and former UCLA Bruins player JaRon Rush
. He was selected as the preseason Co-Player of the Year in the Big 12, along with fellow Jayhawk Julian Wright. Rush was also selected as a preseason All-American. in 2007, he earned a position on the All-Tournament Team in the Big 12 Tournament. On April 26, 2007, Rush announced his intentions to enter the 2007 NBA Draft, but he did not sign with an agent.
in his right knee playing in a pickup game of basketball. He had planned on entering the 2007 NBA Draft had he not suffered this injury, but returned to play for Kansas. On June 1, 2007, Rush successfully had surgery on the torn ACL in his right leg. After rehabilitation, Rush returned to play in November and soon after re-entered the starting lineup.
On 27 October 2010, it was reported that Rush had, in fact, suffered the ACL injury during an illegal workout conducted by Rodney Heard, director of East Coast scouting for the New York Knicks organization; Isiah Thomas, then-president of the Knicks, is said to have had knowledge of the secret workouts. Rush verified the allegation, and severe sanctions are expected to be levied against the Knicks organization.
. In the national semifinal game against North Carolina
, Rush was named the Most Valuable Player, when he scored 25 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Rush was rated the number one small forward in all of college basketball by Rivals.com for his overall statistics, being named MVP in the Big 12 Tournament, and averaging 15.8 points per game in the six games of the NCAA national championship tournament. On April 17, 2008, Rush declared himself eligible for the 2008 NBA Draft, skipping his senior year.
in the 2008 NBA Draft
. He was then traded to the Indiana Pacers
along with Jarrett Jack
and Josh McRoberts
, for Jerryd Bayless
and Ike Diogu
.
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Indiana
| 75 || 19 || 24.0 || .423 || .373 || .697 || 3.1 || .9 || .5 || .5 || 8.1
|-
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Indiana
| 82 || 64 || 30.4 || .423 || .411 || .629 || 4.2 || 1.4 || .7 || .8 || 9.4
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Indiana
| 67 || 21 || 26.2 || .421 || .417 || .755 || 3.2 || .9 || .6 || .5 || 9.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 224 || 104 || 27.0 || .422 || .402 || .697 || 3.6 || 1.1 || .6 || .6 || 8.9
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Indiana
| 5 || 0 || 11.0 || .462 || .750 || .500 || 1.4 || .6 || .2 || .2 || 3.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 5 || 0 || 11.0 || .462 || .750 || .500 || 1.4 || .6 || .2 || .2 || 3.2
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. On July 15, 2008, Rush signed a contract to play basketball for the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. He was drafted in 2008 by the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
. Rush played for the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
in college for three seasons, including the 2007–2008 national championship team
2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2007–08 basketball season...
. Rush was selected as a Wooden Award All-American in 2007 and again in 2008 while a player for the Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas Jayhawks
The sports teams at the University of Kansas are known as the Jayhawks. They are one of three schools in the state of Kansas that participate in NCAA Division I. The Jayhawks are also a member of the Big 12 Conference...
. He is brothers with former UCLA guard JaRon Rush
JaRon Rush
JaRon Maurice Rush is an American basketball player from Kansas City, Missouri. He played college basketball at UCLA and played professionally for the Los Angeles Stars of the American Basketball Association .-Career:...
and former Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
guard Kareem Rush
Kareem Rush
Kareem Lamar Rush is an American former professional basketball player who last played at shooting guard with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers...
.
College career
Rush played high school basketball at Westport High School in Missouri and Mt. Zion Christian Academy in Durham, North CarolinaDurham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
. After withdrawing from the 2005 NBA Draft
2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
, Rush committed to play basketball for coach Bill Self
Bill Self
Bill Self is an American college men's basketball coach at the University of Kansas, where he led the Jayhawks to the 2008 NCAA national championship....
at the University of Kansas. He started at the small forward position in each game that season. Rush led the Jayhawks in scoring (13.5 points per game), rebounding (5.9) and three point shooting percentage (47.2%). He was instrumental in the team's Big 12 Conference championship run and was elected the conference Freshman of the Year. Also, Rush is the first freshman ever to be named to the First Team All-Big 12 (Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant
Kevin Wayne Durant is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association . A 6'9" small forward/shooting guard who is also capable of playing power forward, Durant was the consensus 2007 National College Player of the Year and the...
later did this the next year for the Texas Longhorns). He is also the younger brother of former NBA player Kareem Rush
Kareem Rush
Kareem Lamar Rush is an American former professional basketball player who last played at shooting guard with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers...
and former UCLA Bruins player JaRon Rush
JaRon Rush
JaRon Maurice Rush is an American basketball player from Kansas City, Missouri. He played college basketball at UCLA and played professionally for the Los Angeles Stars of the American Basketball Association .-Career:...
. He was selected as the preseason Co-Player of the Year in the Big 12, along with fellow Jayhawk Julian Wright. Rush was also selected as a preseason All-American. in 2007, he earned a position on the All-Tournament Team in the Big 12 Tournament. On April 26, 2007, Rush announced his intentions to enter the 2007 NBA Draft, but he did not sign with an agent.
Injury
Rush returned to Kansas in May 2007, and it was announced that Rush had torn the anterior cruciate ligamentAnterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
in his right knee playing in a pickup game of basketball. He had planned on entering the 2007 NBA Draft had he not suffered this injury, but returned to play for Kansas. On June 1, 2007, Rush successfully had surgery on the torn ACL in his right leg. After rehabilitation, Rush returned to play in November and soon after re-entered the starting lineup.
On 27 October 2010, it was reported that Rush had, in fact, suffered the ACL injury during an illegal workout conducted by Rodney Heard, director of East Coast scouting for the New York Knicks organization; Isiah Thomas, then-president of the Knicks, is said to have had knowledge of the secret workouts. Rush verified the allegation, and severe sanctions are expected to be levied against the Knicks organization.
Junior season
After returning to the starting line-up he led Kansas to the 2008 NCAA championship title2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2007–08 basketball season...
. In the national semifinal game against North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
, Rush was named the Most Valuable Player, when he scored 25 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Rush was rated the number one small forward in all of college basketball by Rivals.com for his overall statistics, being named MVP in the Big 12 Tournament, and averaging 15.8 points per game in the six games of the NCAA national championship tournament. On April 17, 2008, Rush declared himself eligible for the 2008 NBA Draft, skipping his senior year.
Professional career
Rush was selected 13th overall by the Portland Trail BlazersPortland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
in the 2008 NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
. He was then traded to the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
along with Jarrett Jack
Jarrett Jack
Jarrett Matthew Jack is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA. At 6' 3" tall and weighing 197 lbs , he primarily plays at the guard position...
and Josh McRoberts
Josh McRoberts
Joshua Scott McRoberts is an American professional basketball player who last played for the NBA's Indiana Pacers. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 37th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft...
, for Jerryd Bayless
Jerryd Bayless
Jerryd Bayless is an American basketball player for the Toronto Raptors. He played a year of college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats after playing high school basketball at St. Mary's High School in Phoenix, where he scored a career high of 52 points in a loss to eventual state champions,...
and Ike Diogu
Ike Diogu
Ikechukwu Somtochukwu Diogu, referred to as Ike Diogu , is an Nigerian American professional basketball player who is currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers.-Family and early life:...
.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Indiana
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 75 || 19 || 24.0 || .423 || .373 || .697 || 3.1 || .9 || .5 || .5 || 8.1
|-
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Indiana
| 82 || 64 || 30.4 || .423 || .411 || .629 || 4.2 || 1.4 || .7 || .8 || 9.4
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Indiana
| 67 || 21 || 26.2 || .421 || .417 || .755 || 3.2 || .9 || .6 || .5 || 9.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 224 || 104 || 27.0 || .422 || .402 || .697 || 3.6 || 1.1 || .6 || .6 || 8.9
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2010–11
2011 NBA Playoffs
The 2011 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2010–11 season. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualified for the playoffs, all seeded 1 to 8 in a tournament bracket, with all rounds in a best-of-seven format. The 2011 NBA Playoffs began on...
| align="left" | Indiana
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 5 || 0 || 11.0 || .462 || .750 || .500 || 1.4 || .6 || .2 || .2 || 3.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 5 || 0 || 11.0 || .462 || .750 || .500 || 1.4 || .6 || .2 || .2 || 3.2