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Men's Basketball

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Rush signs with Pacers

By Gary Bedore

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Releford scores 11 in tourney

After scoring 8 points in the tournament opener against Venezuela, Kansas incoming freshman Travis Releford scores 11 as USA Basketball's Under-18 Team whips Bahamas 111-51 in the FIBA U-18 Championships in Argentina on Tuesday.

The Indiana Pacers, who have been embarrassed by some off-the-court incidents involving their players, believe they will have no problems with first-round draft picks Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert.

At least that's the hope of Pacers' president Larry Bird, who announced the duo's signing Tuesday in Indianapolis.

"If Brandon would just pay his parking tickets, we'd be fine," Bird said, jokingly.

The Hall of Famer was referring to former Kansas University standout Rush's being arrested last December on two outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court for traffic violations. The matter quickly was resolved by Rush, who emerged as leading scorer on the Jayhawks' 2008 national championship team.

"I don't think you have to worry about these two individuals," Bird said. "Roy went to Georgetown, and I know they expect a lot out of their players. As well schooled as they are at Kansas, I don't expect any problems with these two. They're hard workers. They're dedicated to get their games better, and they'll be involved in the community. What more can you ask?"

Rush, according to the NBA rookie-salary scale, will be paid $1,499,300 next season and $1,611,800 in 2009-10. The team has an option for a contract that will pay Rush $1,724,300 in 2010-11.

Pacers coach Jim O'Brien says Rush will contribute immediately.

"I think he can be an outstanding defensive player with some work and some growth," O'Brien said. "He already knows how to put the ball in the basket."

In fact, O'Brien can envision No. 13 draft pick Rush and No. 17 Hibbert in the rotation next season.

"I said to Brandon, 'What are your expectations for this year?', and he said 'I'd like to just come in and fit in,' and Roy just said about the same thing right there," O'Brien said. "I'm not interested in these guys coming in to fit in and not step on anybody's feet. As a matter of fact, I would like them to compete for starting jobs. That's what we want. I said to Brandon, 'If you want to come in and fit in, the veterans would be more than happy to let you fit in. We want you to compete against the veterans.'''

Rush will be battling Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy for minutes.

"I knew that coming in that I was going to have to compete," Rush said. "I'm going to give it my best. I love playing with a team like this. We play pretty much the same way we did in Kansas, so it's easy to fit in, somewhat."

¢ Releford scores 11: KU guard Travis Releford scored 11 points off 5-of-9 shooting in Team USA's 115-51 victory over Bahamas on Tuesday at the FIBA Under 18 championships in Argentina. Releford had four steals, three assists, two rebounds and zero turnovers in 16 minutes. Next up for the U.S., 2-0 at the tourney, is today's game against Puerto Rico.

¢ New jersey numbers: Here are jersey numbers for KU's new basketball players: Quintrell Thomas (11), Tyshawn Taylor (15), Markieff Morris (21), Marcus Morris (22), Mario Little (23), Travis Releford (24) and Tyrone Appleton (32). Returnees Brennan Bechard and Chase Buford have switched to No. 10 and 41 respectively.

¢ Taylor scores 47: Freshman point guard Taylor, believe it or not, scored 47 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in a Kansas City Pro-Am game on Tuesday at Penn Valley Community College. He also had six assists for The Hawks in a game against the Cavaliers.

¢ Self contract update: Mark Mangino isn't the only Jayhawk coach to net a new contract. Details are being finalized for a new pact for basketball coach Bill Self. When will the signing of Self's contract be announced?

"I guess the best way to say it is, 'We're working on it,''' KU associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said. "There is no rush, no artificial deadline. It'll be done as quickly as it can be done."

He noted that it's been challenging "for a lot of people's schedules to mesh" in finalizing the pact.

Comments

chuckberry32 (anonymous) says...

"There is no rush, no artificial deadline. It'll be done as quickly as it can be done."

kinda like a withdrawal from Iraq...

July 16, 2008 at 6:18 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JJHAWK (anonymous) says...

You expecting an IED?

July 16, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Timmay97 (anonymous) says...

The more I read about our recruits, the more I get excited. This year is a more or less a rebuilding year, however, next year is a different story.

Assuming KU keeps all these players at the school, next year could be special. Depending on his year, I guess Collins could be gone, but I wouldn't expect anyone else, unless Marcus Morris is THAT good.

Which leaves me to ask this question.....who are the seniors next year? How would we be able to sign Xavier Henry and/or John Wall? Do we have the room or scholarships available?

July 16, 2008 at 7:03 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mgolany (anonymous) says...

Timmay97 Looks like its gonna be Sherron Collins, Mario Little and Tyrone appleton since they are gonna be Juniors this coming year(08-09). I'm really excited for these new guys to come in and I think we're gonna be pretty good not just rebuilding but once we gel, we'll be nasty again! Releford looking real solid to me!!!

July 16, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

funkitect (anonymous) says...

i believe we actually have 1 scholly left this year and we're just holding on to it for next year...

July 16, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jcsmith (anonymous) says...

Chuckberry,
WTF does this or any other aricle on KUSports.com have to do with the damn war???????

Keep that sh#t to yourself. We are here to read about our team and its players. Dont start this anti war BS.

July 16, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

fan408785 (anonymous) says...

Timmay97

We will have two scholys available w/o anyone leaving after this year; Mario's scholy and we gain an extra scholy coming off probation.

If a player transfers or goes pro then we'll have a third.

July 16, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

Releford continues to put up nice lines for Team USA in the U18's. That's encouraging, since he is playing with some of the top recruits in the nation this year and next year.

Tyshawn Taylor blowing the lid off for 47 is impressive, even in a summer league game, because you really have to have it working to score 47 points in a game, regardless of how bad the defense is. It's encouraging to know that he can put the ball in the hole at the very least, because we don't have a lot of known commodities to do that next season yet. Sherron can score, but Cole's offense has not caught up with his defense yet. I think in time Cole will be a solid offensive contributor, but I'm not sure if that will be this year or next.

As for scholarships, I believe that KU has one remaining this year, plus we get one back that we lost because of APR next year. If you count right now, we have 11 scholarship players (Collins, Aldrich, Reed, Appleton, Little, Releford, Marcus, Markieff, Taylor, Thomas, Morningstar). We have 12 scholarships available. Next year we will have those same 11 guys (assuming no one leaves early) but we get one back from APR. We also have flexibility in that Morningstar's scholarship is flexible, from what I understand. So really, we may have 3 scholies next season instead of just two.

July 16, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

milehighhawker (anonymous) says...

As the previous 2 said, we will have at least 2 scollys next year, and I would assume if we can land the class I think that we will Brady will give his up because he has family as faculty and wouldn't have to pay regardless.
Next years class, in my opinion will shape out this way
SG - Xavier Henry
SF - Lance Stephenson
C - Daniel Orton
The great thing is they are all AAU teammates or have been at one time, I know Henry and Orton are right now. All of the above have Kansas listed in their top 3 and I have a feeling this will be the #1 class next year.

John Wall will not be coming here.

July 16, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

flipborder02 (anonymous) says...

I wish X would come to KU but it isn't happening. Oh milehiker Wall has us in his top three.

July 16, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

AzHawk97 (anonymous) says...

There is a nice little write up on Xavier Henry in the Sept. edition of SLAM(Paul Pierce cover). I don't have a link. Sorry.

July 16, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkitup (anonymous) says...

I don't imagine will get any of those three guys...of the three, Henry is our best shot I think but I wouldn't hold my breathe. I really do hope he comes, but I just have my doubts.

July 16, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

didjabuti (anonymous) says...

I'm pretty sure Kleinman and Brechard are seniors this coming year. Although I can't remember if either are on scholorship. I don't think Brechard is but Kleinman I think was at one point but he may have given his up. Anyone know for sure?

July 16, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

soapboxstew (anonymous) says...

My wish list for the 2009 class:
X Henry
Derrick Favors
Let's say that we don't lose Collins (next year's draft is PG heavy) or Cole after this next season. In 09-10, this would be my starting 5:
PG- Collins
SG- Xavier Henry
SF- Morris (the more talented, 6'8 one)
PF- Favors
C- Cole
That 5 + our VERY DEEP bench= Championship.

I can wish, can't I?

July 16, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

cobweb (anonymous) says...

Wrong answer to Bird's question, Brandon. Can you imagine Larry Bird ever saying that his goal was to "fit in"?

July 16, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

milehighhawker (anonymous) says...

Wall will end up at Baylor or Ok St I think for some reason. With Collins (if he comes back) and Taylor, Appleton, I don't think Wall comes in. He wants to start as a freshman and he won't have that opportunity here. Xavier will come to KU, I don't know why everyone is so worried. I think we will land Orton or Favors (although we aren't on his list) because we have put 5 big men in the draft over the last 5 years, 3 being first rounders, how many schools can say that.

One thing I will credit Self for is getting players drafted, if he continues that, it will be hard to say no to KU for guys like Henry, Stephenson, even Wall.

July 16, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

cobweb - I believe the question was posed by Jim O'Brien, not Larry Bird. Good point about Bird, though.

July 16, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

milehighhawker (anonymous) says...

Note John Walls list from the two most recognized scouting sites on college BBALL, how are we in Wall's top 3?

Scout.com

School Interest Level Offer? Visit Date Signed LOI?

Baylor High Interest Yes None

Oklahoma State High Interest Yes None

Indiana Med Interest Yes None
Kentucky Med Interest Yes None
Memphis Med Interest Yes None
Miami (Fl) Med Interest Yes None
North Carolina State Med Interest Yes None
Oregon Med Interest Yes None

Kansas Low Interest Yes None

Oklahoma Low Interest Yes None
Ohio State No Interest Yes None


Rivals.com

Baylor Medium

Clemson Medium

Duke Medium

Florida Medium

Florida State Medium

Georgia Tech Medium

Indiana Medium

Kansas Medium

Kentucky Medium

Memphis Medium

Miami Medium

N.C. State Medium

North Carolina Medium

Oklahoma Medium

Oklahoma State Medium

Oregon Medium

St. John's Medium

Tennessee Medium

Texas Medium

Virginia Medium

Virginia Tech Medium

July 16, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

Haven't we forgotten about Elijah Johnson, the PG out of Las Vegas, or did he sign somewhere already? I seem to recall that prior to all of this talk about John Wall and Lance Stephenson, Johnson was the next PG recruit for us. He's a top 50 recruit.

I think we have a better shot at Orton than Favors. Orton seems more like a Self recruit than Favors, but I could be wrong since I honestly don't know these guys. Plus, Orton is from Oklahoma, and Self seems to really connect well with those guys.

Xavier Henry is tough to figure. He's almost assured to be a one and done regardless of where he goes. Even if he does come in next year, he's not putting on a KU jersey in the Fall of 2010. By then, we will need a ton of help because Collins will be gone, Appleton and Little will be gone. It's possible Cole could be ready to jump after his junior year. We could be replacing quite a few guys after the 2009-10 season.

2008-09 lineup

G Collins
G Releford
F Little
F Marcus Morris
C Aldrich
Bench
Taylor, Appleton, Markieff Morris, Thomas, Reed

2009-10
G Collins (sr.)
G Henry (hopefully, but likely a one and done)
F Little (sr.)
F Marc. Morris (may leave after 2 years if hype is true)
C Aldrich (may leave after three years if he continues to progress)
Bench
Taylor, Appleton (sr.), Markieff Morris, Thomas, Reed, Elijah Johnson (fr.), Derrick Favors (fr.)
(pretty formidable twelve man rotation)

That's potentially another whole starting lineup gone in two years. Not complaining, just crystal balling for a second.

July 16, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

Didja see this?!?-

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008...

July 16, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Jim OBrien is a lousy coach and I'm surprised Bird retains him. O'Brien is the only threat to Rush being a top NBA player at this point. O'Brien says all the wrong things and then backs them up with all the wrong actions. Demand a trade when you can, Brandon, or go with your teammates to Bird and get him dumped.

July 16, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

justanotherfan,

I'm pretty sure you are right about the way 08-09 shakes out early on, but man this is going to be the team that sets the KU record for lowest three point percentage, unless Marcus just turns into a man called trinity.

July 16, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Dane1017 (anonymous) says...

Do we know yet if the Morris twins are eligible?

July 16, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

cobweb (anonymous) says...

Don't worry. They have Arthur's math tutor working overtime with the twins.

July 16, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )