Rush Fears Season Is Over

JaRon Rush conceded Tuesday that he knowingly broke NCAA rules by accepting money from an agent and said he is concerned that he will be suspended for the remainder of the season after UCLA sends its report to the national governing body, probably later this week.

“I know that they were wrong,” the Bruin sophomore forward said of the actions that brought him an indefinite suspension on Dec. 10. “I was just a stupid kid doing stupid things. I made a mistake.

“I think I was a little greedy for the money. I’m not from a real rich family or anything and times get hard. I tried to take advantage of it.”

Rush’s first public comments since the discipline confirm what was reported in late December, that he had acknowledged to UCLA officials accepting money from Los Angeles agent Jerome Stanley.

Stanley has denied any improper relationship, meaning that part of the case probably will be forwarded to the NCAA without a final resolution.

Less clear are the details of the findings on Rush’s relationship with his former Amateur Athletic Union coach in Kansas City, Myron Piggie. That makes the length of the probable suspension from the NCAA difficult to gauge. The Bruins, however, are feeling so ominous about the possibility of a lengthy penalty that they are already talking about an appeal.

Rush, who has already missed nine games, would not predict how much longer he will be out. But when asked if he is worried about having to sit out the remainder of the season, he said there is “a slight fear. But that’s something I’m dealing with.”

UCLA has concluded its investigation and is writing its report to the NCAA, which probably will include recommendations on the length of the suspension and the amount, if any, Rush should be made to repay.

Rulings on similar cases have taken a week or two, Athletic Director Pete Dalis said Tuesday, and the potential of an appeal means the case could drag into February.

Rush will have missed 15 games by the end of January. That can be taken into account as time served on the penalty when the final ruling is made.

The case began when authorities in Kansas City informed the UCLA athletic department, first in a phone call to Associate Athletic Director Betsy Stephenson and then in a visit with Dalis, of possible transgressions by Rush. Those appear to have come to light in an investigation, headed by a U.S. attorney in Missouri, into several of Piggie’s activities, a probe that included testimony from Rush.

The Bruins reported the possible infractions to the Pacific 10 Conference and suspended Rush, allowing him only to sit on the bench during games. He was eventually allowed to practice again.

“I’m a little bit out of shape,” he said Tuesday, after the second workout of his return. “I’m just going to come in here and work hard, see what the NCAA is going to do and go from there.

“It’s been pretty hard. I know my team’s been struggling. It’s been hard not being out there with them.”

Said Coach Steve Lavin: “He was a little winded obviously and has to be smart how he comes back and not overdo it and then get hurt because he tries to come back too quickly. But he has definitely helped our practices.”

In three games before the suspension--all off the bench--Rush averaged 11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 18.7 minutes and shot 56.5%.