Rush, Arthur declare for 2008 NBA Draft

By J-W Staff Reports     Apr 17, 2008

Kansas University junior guard Brandon Rush and sophomore forward Darrell Arthur each made it official Thursday afternoon – they’ve both thrown their hats into the 2008 NBA Draft ring.

Rush, who averaged 13.3 points per game this season, will hire an agent in the near future, as returning for a senior season is not an option since he’s already tested the NBA Draft waters once.

“No turning back from here,” Rush said at Thursday’s press conference in Hadl Auditorium. “I’ve been hearing late first round, early second, just depends on how I do in my workouts.”

Rush, who entered his name a year ago before tearing his ACL, said he does not intend to take part in the NBA Pre-Draft camp in Orlando, but will work out for several teams once he’s signed with an agent.

Arthur, on the other hand, is going to be in a ‘test the waters’ situation, with no intentions of hiring an agent right now.

“I thought this would be the best way to go through with it, without an agent,” Arthur said. “If it’s good, I’ll stay, if not, I’ll come back and try to get another national championship.”

Arthur said he’s aiming for a spot in the top half of the first round, and if that’s not a guarantee, he could be coming back to KU for a third season. The sophomore forward, who averaged 12.8 points and 6.3 rebounds this season, is projected by several draft sites right now in the middle of the first round on the heels of his 20-point, 10-rebound performance in the national title game win over Memphis last Monday.

One Jayhawk who still has yet to announce his intentions is junior guard Mario Chalmers, who was the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four.

“I don’t think you should assume anything – Mario has a decision to make as well,” KU coach Bill Self said. “He’s not comfortable yet in coming out publicly in saying for sure what he wants to do because I don’t think in his heart he knows. The bottom line is when he’s comfortable, we’ll all know.

“This is a good day for Kansas basketball,” Self added. “I know I’m excited for the opportunities that will present themselves for these two men.”

For more on this story, stay tuned to KUSports.com and pick up Friday’s Journal-World.

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Kansas University junior guard Brandon Rush and sophomore forward Darrell Arthur have scheduled a press conference today for 3:30 p.m. to announce their decisions to enter the 2008 NBA Draft.

Darrell Arthur’s mother, Sandra, said Thursday her son would not yet hire an agent.

“I’m very proud of him. He’s worked very hard for this,” Sandra said. “We talked and we agreed to test the waters to see where he falls. He feels he’s ready to move to the next step. We’ll know for sure after the tryouts (NBA teams).”

Rush will hire an agent because he cannot test the waters twice. His grandmother said he made the decision to declare for the draft shortly after the championship game was over.

“I am for it,” said Jeanette Jacobs. “I’m glad he came back to school for one more year. Of course, I didn’t want him to get hurt (ACL tear). He was able to accomplish a lot of things. It was his decision. We’re happy for him.”

Junior guard Mario Chalmers, KU’s other likely draft early entrant, will not take part in today’s press conference. Self said he and Chalmers are still in the process of gathering information.

Several draft projection sites peg both as first round picks this upcoming June, with Arthur’s name being mentioned as a potential lottery pick on the heels of his 20-point, 10-rebound performance in KU’s 75-68 win over Memphis in the national championship game earlier this month.

KU’s signing of Tyrone Appleton to next year’s class on Wednesday put the Jayhawks over their scholarship limit by one for next season. Self has pointed out in recent weeks that he’s still out recruiting for another big man as a part of the ’08 class.

Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 will carry the news conference live, beginning at 3:30. For more on this story as it develops, including photos from their careers here in Lawrence and an audio of today’s press conference, stay tuned to KUSports.com.

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