Kareem Rush
Encyclopedia
Kareem Lamar Rush is an American
former professional basketball
player who last played at shooting guard
with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers
. Rush's younger brother, Brandon
, is currently with the Indiana Pacers
, while older brother JaRon
played college basketball
for UCLA.
in Columbia, Missouri
, where he was a standout guard on the basketball team. In basketball, Rush averaged 19.8 points per game as a junior, leading the Tigers to the Western Regional finals in the NCAA tournament, where they lost to Oklahoma. As a sophomore in 2000–01, he led the Big 12 in scoring, averaging 21.1 points per game.
after his junior season and was selected with the 20th pick overall by the Toronto Raptors
, who immediately traded his rights to the Los Angeles Lakers
. Rush was projected to be a top 10 pick, but much like what happened to Kareem's elder brother JaRon—a former UCLA star—Kareem slipped down much further than anticipated. At the 2000 draft, JaRon, who left the Bruins after his sophomore season, was not selected. "No one wants to see something like that happen to his brother", JaRon said, weeping. "I mean, I knew he was going to get drafted eventually, but it was still hard."
Over his first two seasons, he played a limited, back-up role on the Shaquille O'Neal
and Kobe Bryant
-led club. However, due to his three-point shooting accuracy, he would become a more frequently used reserve player in the 2003–2004 playoffs for coach Phil Jackson
. Although the Lakers would lose to the Pistons in the NBA Finals
, Rush was able to make somewhat of a name for himself as a sharpshooter, averaging 14 minutes per game and hitting 40% of his three-point shots in the playoffs. He was a major contributor in helping the Lakers clinch the Western Conference Finals against Kevin Garnett
and the Minnesota Timberwolves
, when he scored 18 points in the sixth and final game, all from 3-point range, where he was 6 for 7.
for two future second-round draft picks. In Charlotte, Rush found a larger role, often starting and averaging more than 25 minutes and 11.5 points per game. He set a then-Bobcats franchise record by scoring 35 points against the Indiana Pacers
. His season ended March 2 when he strained his MCL
during a game in New Orleans.
, but recovered slowly from a groin injury. In November 2006, the club waived him to make room for a replacement for two frontcourt players who had sustained injuries.
. On December 21, 2006, he signed with ULEB Cup
participant Lietuvos Rytas
from Vilnius
. He was chosen by the Slovenia
n coach Zmago Sagadin
and led his team to the cup final. On February 24, 2007, Rush was named the MVP of the 2007 LKL All-Star Game
. On April 21, Rush's team became the champion of the Baltic Basketball League
; he was named the Final Four MVP.
, who cited their need for a shooter.
tear in his right knee on November 18, 2009. Rush was waived by the Clippers on January 22, 2010.
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 76 || 0 || 11.5 || .393 || .279 || .696 || 1.2 || .9 || .1 || .1 || 3.0
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 72 || 15 || 17.3 || .440 || .348 || .596 || 1.3 || .8 || .5 || .3 || 6.4
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 14 || 0 || 6.5 || .200 || .200 || 1.000 || .7 || .2 || .1 || .1 || .9
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Charlotte
| 34 || 22 || 25.8 || .396 || .386 || .761 || 2.3 || 1.9 || .5 || .2 || 11.5
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Charlotte
| 47 || 25 || 23.6 || .386 || .348 || .714 || 2.2 || 1.1 || .8 || .3 || 10.1
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Indiana
| 71 || 15 || 21.2 || .401 || .389 || .714 || 2.4 || 1.3 || .6 || .3 || 8.3
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 25 || 1 || 8.0 || .345 || .303 || 1.000 || .6 || .6 || .2 || .0 || 2.2
|-
| align="left" | 2009-10
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 7 || 0 || 8.3 || .364 || .333 || .000 || .9 || .6 || .3 || .4 || 1.3
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 346 || 78 || 17.2 || .400 || .358 || .703 || 1.7 || 1.0 || .4 || .2 || 6.4
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 9 || 0 || 7.1 || .379 || .364 || 1.000 || .3 || .2 || .1 || .0 || 3.3
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 22 || 0 || 14.3 || .385 || .400 || .667 || .7 || .8 || .4 || .1 || 3.7
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 31 || 0 || 12.2 || .383 || .393 || .857 || .6 || .6 || .3 || .1 || 3.6
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional 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 who last played at shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. Rush's younger brother, Brandon
Brandon Rush
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...
, is currently with 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...
, while older brother JaRon
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:...
played college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
for UCLA.
College career
After graduating from Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City, Rush attended the University of MissouriUniversity 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...
in Columbia, Missouri
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
, where he was a standout guard on the basketball team. In basketball, Rush averaged 19.8 points per game as a junior, leading the Tigers to the Western Regional finals in the NCAA tournament, where they lost to Oklahoma. As a sophomore in 2000–01, he led the Big 12 in scoring, averaging 21.1 points per game.
Professional career
Los Angeles Lakers
Rush entered the 2002 NBA Draft2002 NBA Draft
The 2002 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2002 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting 57 amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from non-North...
after his junior season and was selected with the 20th pick overall by the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
, who immediately traded his rights to the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. Rush was projected to be a top 10 pick, but much like what happened to Kareem's elder brother JaRon—a former UCLA star—Kareem slipped down much further than anticipated. At the 2000 draft, JaRon, who left the Bruins after his sophomore season, was not selected. "No one wants to see something like that happen to his brother", JaRon said, weeping. "I mean, I knew he was going to get drafted eventually, but it was still hard."
Over his first two seasons, he played a limited, back-up role on the Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA...
and Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
-led club. However, due to his three-point shooting accuracy, he would become a more frequently used reserve player in the 2003–2004 playoffs for coach Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
. Although the Lakers would lose to the Pistons in the NBA Finals
2004 NBA Finals
The 2004 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 2003–04 National Basketball Association season. The Finals were between the Los Angeles Lakers of the Western Conference and the Detroit Pistons of the Eastern Conference; the Lakers held home court advantage...
, Rush was able to make somewhat of a name for himself as a sharpshooter, averaging 14 minutes per game and hitting 40% of his three-point shots in the playoffs. He was a major contributor in helping the Lakers clinch the Western Conference Finals against Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett
Kevin Maurice Garnett is an American professional basketball player who currently plays power forward for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association . After a high school basketball career at Farragut Career Academy which included winning a national player of the year award, he...
and the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
, when he scored 18 points in the sixth and final game, all from 3-point range, where he was 6 for 7.
Charlotte Bobcats
Fourteen games into the 2004–05 season, the Lakers traded Rush to the Charlotte BobcatsCharlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
for two future second-round draft picks. In Charlotte, Rush found a larger role, often starting and averaging more than 25 minutes and 11.5 points per game. He set a then-Bobcats franchise record by scoring 35 points against 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...
. His season ended March 2 when he strained his MCL
Medial collateral ligament
The medial collateral ligament of the knee is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It is on the medial side of the knee joint in humans and other primates. It is also known as the tibial collateral ligament, or abbreviated as the MCL.- Structure :It is a broad, flat, membranous band,...
during a game in New Orleans.
Seattle SuperSonics
During the 2006–07 offseason, Rush signed with the Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
, but recovered slowly from a groin injury. In November 2006, the club waived him to make room for a replacement for two frontcourt players who had sustained injuries.
Lithuania
Rush spent the next season playing in LithuaniaLithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
. On December 21, 2006, he signed with ULEB Cup
ULEB Cup
Eurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
participant Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos rytas is a professional basketball club based in Vilnius, Lithuania playing in the Lithuanian Basketball League , the VTB United League, and the Eurocup...
from Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
. He was chosen by the Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
n coach Zmago Sagadin
Zmago Sagadin
Zmagoslav "Zmago" Sagadin , whose first name in Slovene means "winner", is a legendary Slovenian basketball coach. He is also a founder of Slovenia's first national basketball team and co-founder of the Adriatic Basketball League...
and led his team to the cup final. On February 24, 2007, Rush was named the MVP of the 2007 LKL All-Star Game
LKL All-Star Game
The Lithuanian Basketball League holds its All-Star Game once ever year. The participants are currently chosen in two ways. The first is via fan ballot, with the leading vote recipients at each position starting the game; secondly the reserves are chosen by a vote among the head coaches of each...
. On April 21, Rush's team became the champion of the Baltic Basketball League
Baltic Basketball League
Baltic Basketball League is a Baltic states basketball league founded in 2004.Currently, the league is divided into two: the Elite division and the Challenge Cup division. The 10 strongest Baltic basketball clubs participate in the Elite division. The rest of the teams compete in the Challenge Cup...
; he was named the Final Four MVP.
Indiana Pacers
On July 3, 2007, Rush signed with the Indiana PacersIndiana 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...
, who cited their need for a shooter.
Los Angeles Clippers
Rush eventually signed for the Los Angeles Clippers, because of injuries to other players on the roster. However, Rush himself suffered an ACLAnterior 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...
tear in his right knee on November 18, 2009. Rush was waived by the Clippers on January 22, 2010.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 76 || 0 || 11.5 || .393 || .279 || .696 || 1.2 || .9 || .1 || .1 || 3.0
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 72 || 15 || 17.3 || .440 || .348 || .596 || 1.3 || .8 || .5 || .3 || 6.4
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 14 || 0 || 6.5 || .200 || .200 || 1.000 || .7 || .2 || .1 || .1 || .9
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Charlotte
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
| 34 || 22 || 25.8 || .396 || .386 || .761 || 2.3 || 1.9 || .5 || .2 || 11.5
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Charlotte
| 47 || 25 || 23.6 || .386 || .348 || .714 || 2.2 || 1.1 || .8 || .3 || 10.1
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| 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...
| 71 || 15 || 21.2 || .401 || .389 || .714 || 2.4 || 1.3 || .6 || .3 || 8.3
|-
| 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" | Philadelphia
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
| 25 || 1 || 8.0 || .345 || .303 || 1.000 || .6 || .6 || .2 || .0 || 2.2
|-
| align="left" | 2009-10
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 7 || 0 || 8.3 || .364 || .333 || .000 || .9 || .6 || .3 || .4 || 1.3
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 346 || 78 || 17.2 || .400 || .358 || .703 || 1.7 || 1.0 || .4 || .2 || 6.4
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2002–03
2003 NBA Playoffs
The 2003 NBA playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2002-03 NBA season. This postseason was notable for being the first time all series were conducted in a best-of-7 format. It was also the only time in playoff history that no team was swept in a first-round series....
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 9 || 0 || 7.1 || .379 || .364 || 1.000 || .3 || .2 || .1 || .0 || 3.3
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
2004 NBA Playoffs
The 2004 NBA Playoffs were the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2003–04 season. Consisting of 16 teams in two conferences, the playoffs involved about two months of play. The playoffs were conducted in seven-game series, with the team with the better record holding home court...
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers
| 22 || 0 || 14.3 || .385 || .400 || .667 || .7 || .8 || .4 || .1 || 3.7
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 31 || 0 || 12.2 || .383 || .393 || .857 || .6 || .6 || .3 || .1 || 3.6
Singing career
In 2010, Rush embarked on an R&B singing career, releasing his debut single "Hold You Down".External links
- Kareem Rush at NBA.com
- Missouri Tigers biography