Former Bruin Rush Joins New League

Former UCLA player JaRon Rush signed a one-year contract Monday with the Kansas City Knights of the fledgling American Basketball Assn. 2000.

Rush, a 6-foot-5 swingman who averaged 12.1 points in nine games last season for the Bruins, was the Knights’ first-round pick in the league’s recent draft. He said there also was interest from Continental Basketball Assn. and European teams.

“I wanted to come home and play,” said Rush, who starred at Pembroke Hill High in Kansas City. “I think it fits me well. There’s no pressure playing at home.”

General Manager Tom Cheatham said the Knights were impressed by Rush’s quickness and grace.

“We play a wide-open game and we think that fits him,” Cheatham said. “With his ability to get up and down the floor, play the ‘three’ position offensively and defensively, he would be a real plus for us.”

Rush left UCLA after his sophomore year to enter the NBA draft but was not selected.

“I really thought someone would draft and sign me,” Rush said. “No one really gave me an explanation why, though some thought it was my agent [Raymond Brothers] at the time. I thought I had good workouts, did what was asked of me to my fullest extent.”