Back Pain Hinders Rush

Freshman forward JaRon Rush has been suffering back pain, which might explain his three-for-nine shooting against Oklahoma State at the Wooden Classic on Saturday.

The problem started when he was in high school and flared up again at the Puerto Rico Shootout, Coach Steve Lavin said. Team doctors have determined that Rush can continue playing while he receives treatment.

“I can see it most on his shot,” Lavin said. “He’s very stiff and he’s short. He’s not getting the lift on his legs.”

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Sean Farnham did not get a chance to play against Oklahoma State, no doubt to the dismay of the Bruin bench.

The seldom-used junior incited raucous cheers and high fives among teammates when he appeared in two previous games, grabbing a rebound against Kentucky in Puerto Rico and scoring off an offensive rebound back home against Delaware State.

“The main thing I wanted to do was add a little spark when I got out there,” he said. “It meant a lot to me to look over at the bench and see all the guys were hyped.”

Farnham came to UCLA as a walk-on and has scored a total of 15 points in the last two seasons. But Lavin says his recent performances have earned him an opportunity to play more.