SoCal College Recruiting News

It'll Take "An Act of God" for
Rush To Be A Bruin--(November 19, 1997)

Jaron Rush (6'-7" Sr SF, Pembroke Hill, Kansas City, Mo) is not likely to ever be a Bruin. At least that's what he says in a story published today in the Kansas City Star. Rush says that he wanted to sign his National Letter of Intent today, committing to Kansas, before the early signing period ended at midnight, but his mother would not give her permission. Since she would not sign (a parent is required to sign, consenting to the letter, for anyone under the age of 21), that ended KU's hopes of signing Rush.

In the article, Rush described his visit to Los Angeles: "UCLA was so big.... You can get lost in the mix there," Rush
said.

He told the Star that he likes KU because it's close to home, and his friends and family can watch him at games. He told the Star that his mother has nothing against Kansas, but simply wanted him to wait until spring. She agreed with that assessment. " I think he needs a little time. What's the big hurry?" Rush's mother Glenda Rush, told the Star. "I don't have a preference (where he chooses), but I want him to think about it. If that (KU) is what he decides in April, I'll give him my blessings.

The Star also pointed out that it's not any big surprise that Rush would choose Kansas over any other school, including UCLA, noting that his ties to KU are deep.

"Rush's fondness for KU comes as no surprise. His ties to KU are well-known. He spends a lot of his time at the Tom Grant home. Grant, a successful businessman who is chief executive officer of LabOne Inc., is a KU booster and alum who has taken Rush into his home. Rush has his own room at Grant's house in Mission Hills. Grant helps pay for Rush's tuition to attend Pembroke Hill, and he also pays tuitions for non-athletes. Grant attended
Pembroke when it was called Pembroke Country Day.

"Grant's relationship and fiscal ties with Rush have been cleared with the NCAA thanks to a "pre-existing relationship" that predates Rush's emergence as a blue-chip prospect.

"More KU connections: Rush has spent previous falls playing pickup games with Jayhawks players in a gymnasium across the street from Allen Fieldhouse. And he has attended several KU games."

Just to put to rest any lingering thought that Rush might change his mind, when asked what it would take to get him to sign at UCLA, Rush told the Star "It probably will take an act of God."

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