KU CONNECTION

Rush returns, NBA draft preview

KU's leading scorer Brandon Rush announced he will return to play with the Jayhawks next season, while former KU forward Julian Wright readies for the NBA draft this summer as a top 10 pick.

Brandon's back
Rush announced he will return to KU for his junior season and will not enter the NBA draft. Instead, he'll spend the summer rehabilitating his right knee after undergoing successful surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament.

"We have a great team returning, and I love my teammates," Rush said. "The people at Kansas and the fans have treated me so well. It is hard to pass up the opportunity to experience another year of that."

Rush has insisted that the knee injury had little bearing on his decision.

"People will think the reason I am returning is because I injured my knee playing in a pickup game," Rush said. "That is not true, but it did reinforce to me that the time was not right to go to the NBA."

NBA draft nears
The NBA will hold its annual draft June 28, and former KU forward Julian Wright is expected to be a top 10 pick.

"I have mixed emotions today because I love my teammates and the coaching staff, but I know that this is the best decision I can make for myself and my family," Wright said during an April press conference. "I spoke with Coach Self several times about this decision after the season, and after hearing what he heard from his contacts throughout the NBA, I decided now was the best time to move forward with my career."

The first pick in the draft belongs to the Portland Trailblazers, who are led by General Manager and former Jayhawk Kevin Pritchard, c'99. Pritchard was ecstatic that his team won the draft lottery and the number one pick.

"Huge, unbelievably huge," Pritchard said on Portland's Web site. "Franchise making—I don't know how to make it any bigger than that."

As a sophomore guard, Pritchard was an integral part of the 1988 KU National Championship team. Earlier this year he was promoted to the Portland GM position and, at 39, is the NBA's youngest general manager. Pritchard gave credit to his college coaches and his time at KU as a key reason for being named to the Trailblazers' top post.

"Obviously playing under coach Brown and coach Williams," Pritchard told the Lawrence Journal World, "There are no better basketball minds and people to learn from. They are difficult, hard coaches. It was a phenomenal experience. I wouldn't be here today without the University of Kansas."

Jayhawks battle in the NBA Finals
In other NBA news, the San Antonio Spurs take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, which began last Thursday.

Three former Jayhawks are competing for the championship. Jacque Vaughn (KU point guard from 1994-'97) is a member of the Spurs while Scott Pollard (KU center from 1994-'97) and Drew Gooden (KU forward from 2000-'02) compete for the Cavaliers.

Another KU tie to the NBA Finals is Spurs General Manager, R.C. Buford. He was an assistant coach at the University from 1984 to '88 under coach Larry Brown, and a key member of the 1988 National Championship coaching staff. Buford's son, Chase, has enrolled as a freshman at KU and will walk on to the basketball team next fall. KU Head Coach Bill Self was Buford's roommate in Lawrence while working as a KU graduate assistant during the 1985-'86 season.

The winning 'Hawks will join an elite group of former KU players who have won NBA championships. Wayne Simien, c'05, won the title last year as a member of the Miami Heat. Jo Jo White, '69, won three titles as a guard for the Boston Celtics in 1969, '74 and '76. Wilt Chamberlain,'59, claimed two championship rings—with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967 and the L.A. Lakers in 1972.

KU sports clips wanted
KU Athletics is creating a definitive KU sports video, and the producers need your contributions. If you have any film, video, home movies or other digital files involving Jayhawk basketball or other KU sports that you would be willing to share, please contact Associate Athletics Director Jim Marchiony at jmarch@ku.edu or 785-864-3359.

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