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By AJ Cadman

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Former UCLA standout JaRon Rush signed a professional basketball contract on Monday with the Kansas City Knights of the resurrected American Basketball Association. The fifth pick overall in the league’s inaugural draft, Rush (’00) returns to the place where a celebrated high school career catapulted the 6-foot-7 forward to Westwood two years ago.

Rush, 21, helped led Pembroke Hill High School to three consecutive Missouri 2A boys state basketball championships from 1997-99.

“I feel this is a great opportunity to come back to Kansas City and play and let my fans who are still in Kansas City come and see me play again,” he said in a statement.

Undrafted in the NBA’s amateur draft in July, Rush’s style of play is custom-made for the ABA 2000’s wide-open style of offense. Bringing back the old ABA’s no-foul out rule of the 1970s will coincide with the “3D Rule,” where an extra point is awarded when a basket is made following a back court turnover.

“He’s a very versatile player, and his game is really suited for this league,” Kansas City head coach Kevin Pritchard said in a statement. “What I really like is that he plays hard all the time. He does everything he can to win the game.”

Questions about his off-court problems, dating back to his high school career in Kansas City and his time in the Bruin blue and gold, have all but been forgotten with a second chance at his professional basketball dreams.

“I think he has been humbled by what’s gone on around him the last couple of years, and especially the last couple of months,” Pritchard said. “He knows he has made some poor decisions. He has not put the blame on anyone but himself.”

The athletic talent has never been questioned for the 1999 All-Pac-10 Freshman Team performer. After averaging 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest during his first season for UCLA, Rush posted a 12.1 ppg average in nine games last season. His baseline jumper over then-No. 1 Stanford in his first game back from a 24-game suspension helped propel the Bruins into a berth in the Sweet Sixteen of last year’s NCAA Tournament. Rush was suspended for receiving improper money and benefits from a non-scholastic AAU coach and sports agent.

Rush’s return home is marked by excitement and concern. In a civil case against the AAU coach, from whom he took illegal considerations, a grand jury forced Pembroke Hill to forfeit the three state titles won during Rush’s high school career. However, Rush’s family, friends and fans alike see his return as an opportunity to see one of the state’s finest prep performers take the stage at the next level.

“I was very disappointed I didn’t get drafted (into the NBA),” Rush said. “Not getting drafted was a down feeling. Fortunately, I have a support group that has helped me move forward.

“I am going to work very hard. I am going to put in the time and effort to make it.”

The ABA opens its first season after Christmas with a 60-game schedule for each of the eight charter teams.

• • •

Los Angeles will also feature a member of the newly formed ABA. The Stars, under the guidance of former Laker head coach Paul Westhead, will have former Laker and UCLA star Jamaal Wilkes in the front office handling the duties of vice president of basketball operations.

“Southern California is a hotbed of untapped basketball talent just waiting for a chance to showcase their talents,” Wilkes said.

The Stars have a Bruin flavor about them. With territorial draft picks Ed O’Bannon and Tyus Edney along with with J.R. Henderson and Kris Johnson as inaugural draft picks, the Stars hope to build upon a strong L.A. basketball base when they begin play on Dec. 26 at the Great Western Forum.

The Stars will hold an open tryout on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Men’s Gym on the UCLA campus. Any serious players with the skill and determination are encouraged to attend.

“If we can just find one or two of these local talents, we can generate a lot of excitement in the local basketball community,” Wilkes said.

For more information, please call the Los Angeles Stars at (310) 419-3131.