Rush Issue Still Clouded

A month after JaRon Rush took a leave of absence from the UCLA basketball team to testify in grand jury proceedings involving former Amateur Athletic Union coach Myron Piggie, and two days after Rush was suspended for possible NCAA violations, his brother put the blame for the troubles on Piggie.

“It was something Piggie probably did to my brother,” Kareem Rush, a freshman at Missouri, told the Kansas City Star on Sunday after the Tigers lost at St. Louis, 75-72.

UCLA officials are investigating the link between Rush and an agent, sources said, a relationship could cost the sophomore forward his college eligibility.

If Rush did accept money or hire an agent, his college career would be over. The NCAA regards such acts as the player turning professional.

A grand jury is investigating Piggie on suspicion of fraud, money laundering and income tax evasion, and Rush was given a leave from Bruin practices to testify in the case. His testimony may have revealed aspects of his relationship that were against NCAA rules.

“I heard the rumor about the sports agent, accepting money,” said Kareem, who considered joining his brother at UCLA before signing with Missouri. “Hopefully, it’s not to that extent. I don’t know. But I’m definitely going to find out after I get home.”

Piggie was a prominent AAU coach in Kansas City, Mo., Rush’s hometown. Information from the grand jury hearing was forwarded to UCLA.

School officials said they were told of possible violations on Thursday and immediately started an investigation, an inquiry that gives no indication of involvement by other players or a lack of institutional control over the program by coaches. That removes the possibility that UCLA, under the three-year probation imposed in 1998 for violations in the Jim Harrick era, could face team-wide sanctions.

UCLA reported the possible violations to the Pacific 10 office and is handling the investigation, although it has the option to call the conference for assistance. The final results will be forwarded to the Pac-10, which can accept whatever penalties the school may have imposed or stiffen the sanctions.

Teammates continue to express support for Rush and say they have no knowledge of the issues involved. That includes guard Earl Watson, a friend for almost 10 years. Watson, who says he has a close relationship with Rush, said he had not spoken to Rush about the matter.

Watson and Rush were teammates on the Christ Methodist Hospital 76ers, an AAU team coach by Piggie. Among their teammates was Korleone Young, who was a second-round selection of the Detroit Pistons in the 1998 NBA draft.

Rush, who was UCLA’s leading rebounder last season as a freshman, was interviewed by athletic department officials about the matter Friday and sat out Saturday’s game against Gonzaga.