The NCAA has restored the eligibility of Kansas University’s Brandon Rush after reviewing with KU officials the circumstances regarding his application for the 2005 NBA draft.
Kansas and the NCAA had jointly reviewed circumstances regarding Rush’s activity in Spring 2005 as he prepared for the draft. On Thursday, Jan. 12, Kansas declared Rush ineligible after the NCAA Membership Services staff determined that a violation of an amateurism rule (Bylaw 12.3.1.2) had occurred. Kansas applied to the NCAA for Rush’s immediate reinstatement.
On Friday afternoon, Jan. 13, the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement staff granted Kansas’ appeal, reinstating Rush’s eligibility immediately.
“We appreciate the cooperation of the NCAA in this matter,” KU Athletics Director Lew Perkins said. “And we are pleased that they have reinstated Brandon and will not require him to miss any games.”
The violation occurred when the agent for another draft-eligible player, without Rush’s direction or knowledge assisted in the arrangement of Rush’s tryout with professional teams. The NCAA staff told Kansas it reinstated Rush’s eligibility without conditions because it determined Rush had no knowledge of the agent’s unauthorized communication with NBA teams. Further, the NCAA staff said, all activities Rush engaged in were otherwise permissible.
Kansas coach Bill Self said he knew before Rush arrived at Kansas that this review would occur. “In fact, we encouraged it,” he said. “We’re extremely pleased that Brandon can now focus on the rest of the season without these distractions.”
On Friday night a source close to the situation said: “Rush had no knowledge any agent was speaking on his behalf.”
