Rush’s Younger Brother Suspended by Missouri

The investigation into possible NCAA violations by UCLA basketball player JaRon Rush widened Tuesday to include another Rush in another state. Missouri freshman forward Kareem Rush, JaRon’s brother, was suspended by the Tigers.

This move was made four days after JaRon, the older brother, was suspended indefinitely by UCLA, and the same day The Times reported that the school was looking into JaRon’s alleged relationship with Los Angeles agent Jerome Stanley.

Kareem, like JaRon, is in athletic limbo. Missouri officials would not say how long their investigation will take, but are exploring a possible NCAA violation before Kareem’s enrollment at the school. Kareem, who nearly chose UCLA, was averaging 10.9 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Tigers.

“We’re in the process of collecting information regarding Kareem’s situation,” Missouri Athletic Director Michael Alden said. “We feel holding him out of games at this time is the proper course of action and we’ll determine our next step when the investigation is concluded.”

The Kansas City Star reported in today’s editions that federal authorities interviewed Kareem Rush and Missouri officials on Tuesday in Columbia, Mo.

Meanwhile, indications are that UCLA will interview Stanley within a few days as part of the university’s inquiry surrounding JaRon Rush. Stanley appears to be cooperating with Bruin officials.

JaRon Rush missed one game and could be held out until at least January.

“We’ve had no regrets because he is a special kid,” UCLA Coach Steve Lavin said when asked if the Bruins are sorry they signed Rush. “To me, part of coaching and teaching is helping a kid grow.

“If anything with JaRon, what we were always aware of is how sweet he is and his great heart. I sense there is a lot of pressure on him. I’ve always sensed that. He’s been the best player since third grade. . . . Coping with those expectations, that creates a lot of pressure.

“Maybe that’s kind of an irony. He’s really a good kid who’s in a difficult, challenging part of his life. Maybe sometimes you have to learn the hard way, and that’s where he’s at right now.”

The dual Rush suspensions were announced less than a month after JaRon returned home to Kansas City, Mo., to appear at a court proceeding investigating Myron Piggie, a summer-league coach of the Rush brothers.

Piggie, who declined to speak with The Times, told the Kansas City Star on Monday that he had not been in a courtroom and that nobody had contacted him about an investigation.

Piggie, once a custodian in the Kansas City School District, coached the Rush brothers on his prominent summer-league team, the CMH 76ers. He has a criminal record dating back to the 1980s.