kareem rush signs with missouri

socalogo.gif (8739 bytes)
SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Kareem Rush Spurns UCLA,
Signs With Missouri--(May 4, 1999)

The University of Missouri has officially announced that Kareem Rush (6'-6" Sr. SG/SF) from Kansas City, and the brother of UCLA freshman JaRon Rush (6'-6" Fr. SG/SF) has signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of Missouri. Rush was only considering UCLA and Missouri. He is the first signee for new Missouri men's basketball coach Quin Snyder. Here's the official press release from Missouri:

Kansas City's Kareem Rush Will Play for Missouri
All-American Prep Star is First Signee for Quin Snyder

May 4, 1999

Columbia, Mo. - Men's Basketball Coach Quin Snyder announced today that KAREEM RUSH of Kansas City, Mo., has signed a national letter-of-intent to attend the University of Missouri.

Rush, a 6-foot-6 forward from Pembroke Hills High School in Kansas City, averaged 27.8 points and 12.4 rebounds as a senior, and led Pembroke Hills to the Missouri Class 2A state championship - the school's third-straight state title. He also averaged 2.1 assists per game, made 66 three-point field goals and shot 58.5 percent from the floor for the 1998-99 season. He was named Mr. Show-Me Basketball 1999, an award given annually to the best player in the state of Missouri.

"I am personally thrilled that Kareem has decided to become a part of our program," said MU Coach Quin Snyder. "He exemplifies the ability and character of the young men we hope to attract to the University of Missouri. Kareem is a versatile player who has expressed to me a strong desire to develop as a player and a person. We feel it's an excellent fit."

Rush will be no stranger to the Hearnes Center, as his Pembroke Hills Raiders played in the Class 2A Final Four here each of his four years. The Raiders finished 3rd in his freshman year (1996), but won three-straight titles from 1997-99. Rush helped lead the Raiders to an amazing 121-5 record in his four years there. A first-team all-state selection in 1999, and a three-time first-team Kansas City all-metro pick, Rush averaged 20.3 points and 8.3 rebounds as a junior, 18.8 points and 7.5 rebounds as a sophomore and 17.7 points and 7.0 rebounds as a freshman.

One of the most highly sought after prep players in the nation, Rush chose Missouri over UCLA and Connecticut, among others. He is 18 years old, and shares the same birthday as his future coach, Quin Snyder (Oct. 30). His older brother, JaRon, will be a sophomore at UCLA next year.