Brandon Rush

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Brandon Rush

| image = Brandon Rush in 2015.jpg

| caption = Rush in 2015

| position = Shooting guard / small forward

| league =

| team =

| number =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|7|7|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 6

| weight_lb = 220

| high_school = * Westport
(Kansas City, Missouri)

Mount Zion Christian Academy
(Durham, North Carolina)

| college = Kansas (2005–2008)

| draft_year = 2008

| draft_round = 1

| draft_pick = 13

| draft_team = Portland Trail Blazers

| career_start = 2008

| career_end = 2021

| years1 = {{nbay|2008|start}}–{{nbay|2010|end}}

| team1 = Indiana Pacers

| years2 = {{nbay|2011|start}}–{{nbay|2012|end}}

| team2 = Golden State Warriors

| years3 = {{nbay|2013|full=y}}

| team3 = Utah Jazz

| years4 = {{nbay|2014|start}}–{{nbay|2015|end}}

| team4 = Golden State Warriors

| years5 = {{nbay|2016|full=y}}

| team5 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| years6 = 2019–2021

| team6 = Larisa

| highlights = * NBA champion ({{nbafy|2015}})

Greek League All Star (2020)
NCAA champion (2008)
Third-team All-American – NABC (2008)
3× First-team All-Big 12 (2006–2008)
Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2006)
Big 12 tournament MVP (2008)
No. 25 jersey retired by Kansas Jayhawks

}}

Brandon Leray Rush (born July 7, 1985) is an American former professional basketball player. He was drafted in the first round of the 2008 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, before being traded to the Indiana Pacers on draft day, after playing for Kansas for three seasons, including the 2008 championship season. He was selected as a Wooden Award All-American in both 2007 and 2008 as a Jayhawk.[https://archive.today/20120721015407/http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/040108aac.html "Big 12 Leads Nation With Three On Wooden All-America Team"], Big 12 Conference, April 1, 2008. Rush has also played for the Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, and Minnesota Timberwolves, winning an NBA championship with the Warriors in 2015.

High school career

Rush played high school basketball at Westport High School in Missouri and Mt. Zion Christian Academy in Durham, North Carolina.

Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Rush was listed as the No. 2 small forward and the No. 13 player in the nation in 2005.[https://sports.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/player-Brandon-Rush-15641;_ylt=Auyet78f0kp.f01uYPOu__ZGPZB4 Brandon Rush Recruiting Profile] After withdrawing from the 2005 NBA draft, he committed to play collegiately at Kansas under Bill Self.

College career

Rush was the starting small forward in every game that season. He led the Jayhawks in scoring (13.5 points per game), rebounding (5.9) and three-point shooting percentage (47.2%). He was instrumental in the team's Big 12 Conference championship run, and was elected the conference Freshman of the Year. He was also the first freshman ever to be named to the First Team All-Big 12, before Kevin Durant did it the following season for the Texas Longhorns. He was selected as the preseason Co-Player of the Year in the Big 12, along with fellow Jayhawk Julian Wright. He was also selected as a preseason All-American. In 2007, he earned a position on the All-Tournament Team in the Big 12 Tournament. On April 26, 2007, Rush announced his intentions to enter the 2007 NBA draft, but he did not sign with an agent.

=Injury=

Rush returned to Kansas in May 2007, after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a pickup game. He had planned to enter the 2007 NBA draft had he not been injured, but returned to play for Kansas. On June 1, 2007, the torn ACL was successfully repaired.{{cite web|url=http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/060107aaa.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709212318/http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/060107aaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |title=Kansas' Brandon Rush has Successful Surgery on ACL |publisher=kuathletics.cstv.com |date=June 1, 2007 |access-date=June 3, 2007 }} After rehabilitation, he returned to play in November, and became a starter soon afterward.

On October 27, 2010, it was reported that Rush had, in fact, suffered the ACL injury during an illegal workout conducted by Rodney Heard, director of East Coast scouting for the New York Knicks; Isiah Thomas, then-president of the Knicks, is said to have known of the secret workouts. Rush verified the allegation, and severe sanctions were expected to be levied against the Knicks organization.[https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-knicksdraft102610 Sources: N.Y. scout led improper workouts]

=Junior season=

After returning to the starting lineup, he led Kansas to a national title in the 2008 NCAA championship. He was named Most Valuable Player in the national semifinal game against North Carolina, with 25 points and 7 rebounds.Kansas v. North Carolina 2008, Wikipedia[https://web.archive.org/web/20170812140605/http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=284000031 "North Carolina battles back, but Rush, Kansas close out Tar Heels"], Associated Press, April 6, 2008. He was rated number one small forward in all of college basketball by Rivals.com for his overall statistics after being named MVP in the Big 12 Tournament and averaging 15.8 points per game in the six games of the NCAA national championship tournament.[http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/viewcbse.asp?selposition=12 Rivals.com Basketball Power Rankings, 2007-2008] On April 17, 2008, he declared himself eligible for the 2008 NBA draft, skipping his senior year.[http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/581136.html KU's Rush, Arthur declare for the NBA draft]

On February 22, 2017, the University of Kansas basketball program retired his jersey, #25.{{cite web|first=Kyle|last=Ratke|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/brandon-rush-has-jersey-retired-university-kansas|title=Brandon Rush Has Jersey Retired at University of Kansas|work=nba.com|date=February 22, 2017|access-date=February 25, 2017}}

Professional career

=Indiana Pacers (2008–2011)=

File:Brandon Rush cropped 3993527184.jpg

Rush was selected 13th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2008 NBA draft. He was then traded to the Indiana Pacers, along with Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts, for Jerryd Bayless and Ike Diogu.

=Golden State Warriors (2011–2013)=

On December 19, 2011, Rush was traded to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Louis Amundson.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/warriors_acquire_brandon_rush_121911.html |title=Warriors Acquire Guard Brandon Rush From Indiana |work=NBA.com |date=December 19, 2011 |access-date=December 19, 2011}}{{cite news |title=Pacers Acquire Amundson From Golden State For Brandon Rush |url=http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/pacers_acquire_amundson_from_golden_state_for_brandon_rush_2011_12_19.html |date=December 19, 2011 |access-date=December 19, 2011 }}

On August 1, 2012, Rush re-signed with the Warriors on a two-year, $8 million contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/brandon_rush_re_signs_080112 |title= Warriors Re-Sign Restricted Free Agent Brandon Rush |work=NBA.com |date=August 1, 2012 |access-date=August 2, 2012}} In a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 2, 2012, Rush injured his left knee landing awkwardly after being fouled in the air by Zach Randolph.{{cite web|title=Brandon Rush Sustains Serious Left Knee Injury|url=http://www.ibabuzz.com/warriors/2012/11/02/brandon-rush-sustains-serious-left-knee-injury/|work=ibabuzz.com|date=November 2, 2012|access-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605233407/http://www.ibabuzz.com/warriors/2012/11/02/brandon-rush-sustains-serious-left-knee-injury/|archive-date=June 5, 2015|url-status=dead}} An MRI the next day revealed a torn ACL. The extent of the injury ruled him out for the remainder of the 2012–13 season.{{cite web|title=Brandon Rush To Miss Remainder Of 2012-13 Season|url=http://www.nba.com/warriors/rush-surgery-110312|work=NBA.com|date=November 3, 2012|access-date=February 22, 2013}}

=Utah Jazz (2013–2014)=

On July 10, 2013, Rush was traded, along with Richard Jefferson and Andris Biedriņš and several draft picks, to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade that brought Andre Iguodala and Kevin Murphy to the Warriors.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/warriors-acquire-andre-iguodala-071013|title=Warriors Acquire Andre Iguodala from Denver Nuggets as Part of Three-Team Trade|publisher=NBA|access-date=July 10, 2013}}

=Second stint with Golden State (2014–2016)=

On July 22, 2014, Rush signed a two-year deal with the Golden State Warriors, returning to the franchise for a second stint.[http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/brandon-rush-signing-20140722 Warriors Sign Free Agent Brandon Rush to Contract]{{Cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/2014/news/07/22/warriors-sign-rush.ap/index.html |title=Rush signs two-year deal with Warriors |access-date=July 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211213648/http://www.nba.com/2014/news/07/22/warriors-sign-rush.ap/index.html |archive-date=February 11, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Rush won his first NBA championship with the Warriors after they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2015 NBA Finals in six games.

On June 25, 2015, Rush exercised his player option with the Warriors for the 2015–16 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/rush-exercises-player-option-20150625|title=Warriors Guard Brandon Rush Exercises Player Option for 2015-16 Season|date=June 25, 2015|work=NBA.com|access-date=July 7, 2015}} On November 28, 2015, he started at small forward against the Sacramento Kings in place of the injured Harrison Barnes. He subsequently scored 16 points, his highest scoring total since scoring 19 points on April 22, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20151128/SACGSW/gameinfo.html|title=Warriors run NBA-record start to 18-0, beat Kings 120-101|date=November 28, 2015|work=NBA.com|access-date=November 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129182241/http://www.nba.com/games/20151128/SACGSW/gameinfo.html|archive-date=November 29, 2015|url-status=dead}} On January 8, 2016, he scored a season-high 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting against the Portland Trail Blazers. Rush helped the Warriors win an NBA record 73 games to eclipse the 72 wins set by the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls. Rush played limited minutes during the Warriors playoff run to the NBA Finals. The Warriors would again face the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite the Warriors going up 3–1 in the series following a Game 4 win, they went on to lose the series in seven games to become the first team in NBA history to lose the championship series after being up 3–1.

=Minnesota Timberwolves (2016–2017)=

On July 8, 2016, Rush signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/timberwolves-sign-guard/forward-brandon-rush|title=TIMBERWOLVES SIGN GUARD/FORWARD BRANDON RUSH|work=NBA.com|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=July 8, 2016}}

On September 19, 2017, Rush signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/bucks-sign-brandon-rush|title=BUCKS SIGN BRANDON RUSH|work=NBA.com|date=September 19, 2017|access-date=September 19, 2017}} He was waived on October 14 as one of the team's final preseason roster cuts.{{cite web|title=Bucks request waivers on three players|url=http://www.nba.com/bucks/news/bucks-request-waivers-three-players|website=NBA.com|access-date=October 14, 2017|date=October 14, 2017}}

=Portland Trail Blazers (2018)=

On February 21, 2018, the Portland Trail Blazers signed Rush to a 10-day contract.{{cite web|title=TRAIL BLAZERS SIGN BRANDON RUSH Free agent guard/forward joins Portland on 10-day contract|url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/trail-blazers-sign-brandon-rush|website=NBA.com|access-date=February 21, 2018|date=February 21, 2018}} Rush left Portland after the 10-day contract expired, without even playing a game for the team.{{cite web|title=Trail Blazers will not sign Brandon Rush to second 10-day deal|url=https://www.sportando.com/en/usa/nba/266644/trail-blazers-will-not-sign-brandon-rush-to-second-10-day-deal.html|website=Sportando.com|access-date=March 3, 2018|date=March 3, 2018}}

=Larisa (2019–2021)=

On November 21, 2019, Rush returned to action and signed overseas with Greek Basket League club Larisa{{cite web|title=Ένας πρωταθλητής του NBA στην Λάρισα!|language=el|url=https://www.larisabasket.gr/nea-anakoinoseis/item/46-enas-prwtathlhths-toy-nba-sth-larissa|date=November 21, 2019|website=larisabasket.gr|access-date=November 21, 2019|archive-date=August 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822092703/https://www.larisabasket.gr/nea-anakoinoseis/item/46-enas-prwtathlhths-toy-nba-sth-larissa|url-status=dead}} for the remainder of the 2019–2020 season. On August 26, 2020, Rush renewed his contract with the Greek team.

NBA career statistics

=Regular season=

| align="left" | {{nbay|2008}}

| align="left" | Indiana

| 75 || 19 || 24.0 || .423 || .373 || .697 || 3.1 || .9 || .5 || .5 || 8.1

| align="left" | {{nbay|2009}}

| align="left" | Indiana

| style="background:#cfecec;"| 82* || 64 || 30.4 || .423 || .411 || .629 || 4.2 || 1.4 || .7 || .8 || 9.4

| align="left" | {{nbay|2010}}

| align="left" | Indiana

| 67 || 21 || 26.2 || .421 || .417 || .755 || 3.2 || .9 || .6 || .5 || 9.1

| align="left" | {{nbay|2011}}

| align="left" | Golden State

| 65 || 1 || 26.4 || .501 || .452 || .793 || 3.9 || 1.4 || .5 || .9 || 9.8

| align="left" | {{nbay|2012}}

| align="left" | Golden State

| 2 || 0 || 12.5 || .667 || .000 || .667 || .5 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || 7.0

| align="left" | {{nbay|2013}}

| align="left" | Utah

| 38 || 0 || 11.0 || .333 || .340 || .600 || 1.2 || .6 || .1 || .2 || 2.1

| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| {{nbay|2014}}†

| style="text-align:left;"| Golden State

| 33 || 0 || 8.2 || .204 || .111 || .455 || 1.2 || .4 || .2 || .4 || .9

| align="left" | {{nbay|2015}}

| align="left" | Golden State

| 72 || 25 || 14.7 || .427 || .414 || .643 || 2.5 || .8 || .3 || .3 || 4.2

| align="left" | {{nbay|2016}}

| align="left" | Minnesota

| 47 || 33 || 21.9 || .374 || .386 || .722 || 2.1 || 1.0 || .5 || .5 || 4.2

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" | Career

| 481 || 163 || 22.0 || .426 || .402 || .706 || 2.9 || 1.0 || .5 || .5 || 6.8

=Playoffs=

| align="left" | 2011

| align="left" | Indiana

| 5 || 0 || 11.0 || .462 || .750 || .500 || 1.4 || .6 || .2 || .2 || 3.2

| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| 2015†

| align="left" | Golden State

| 3 || 0 || 2.3 || .167 || .500 || .000 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 1.0

| align="left" | 2016

| align="left" | Golden State

| 14 || 0 || 7.9 || .450 || .333 || .500 || 1.6 || .2 || .1 || .1 || 1.6

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" | Career

| 22 || 0 || 7.8 || .410 || .444 || .500 || 1.5 || .3 || .1 || .1 || 1.9

Personal life

Rush was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the brother of former professional basketball players JaRon and Kareem Rush.{{cite news |url=http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2011/11/rush-in-revolution/ |title=SLAM ONLINE » Rush In Revolution |access-date=December 26, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101013336/http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2011/11/rush-in-revolution/ |archive-date=January 1, 2012 }}

He resides in Berkeley, California.