Rush and Arthur Declare

LAWRENCE, Kan. – University of Kansas men’s basketball players Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur declared for the NBA draft Thursday afternoon.

Both starters on the 2008 Kansas national championship team, Brandon Rush declared for the NBA draft last season and declaring this year will not allow him to return to Kansas for his senior season. Darrell Arthur said he will not sign with an agent, which would allow him to return to Kansas next season if he takes his name out of the draft.

“Today is a great day for Kansas basketball,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “I’m excited for the opportunities that will present itself for these two young men who have given so much to the program.”

An All-Big 12 First Team selection each of the last three seasons, Rush has led Kansas in scoring each of the last three years, including 13.3 points per game in 2007-08 for the national champion Jayhawks. The Kansas City, Mo., 6-6 guard has been named Wooden Award All-American each of the last two years, was a member of the 2008 Final Four All-Tournament team and was the most outstanding player of the 2008 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship last March in leading Kansas to that title.

“I have learned so much at Kansas,” Rush said. “It has taught me to be a better man and a mature man. I just want to thank all the fans and coaches for their support. I’m always going to be a proud Jayhawk.”

An All-Big 12 First Team selection in 2007-08, Arthur tied junior Mario Chalmers for second on the team with a 12.8 scoring average. The 6-9 Dallas forward led Kansas in blocked shots with 53 and was second on the team with a 6.3 rebound average. Arthur posted five double-doubles this season, including a 20-point, 10-rebound effort against Memphis in the NCAA championship game.

“It has been a remarkable two years for me,” Arthur said. “I appreciate the love I have received here ever since I stepped on campus. I’m declaring for the NBA Draft without an agent. I just want to thank the coaches, my mom and my family for all of their support.”

In addition to its national championship, Kansas finished the 2007-08 season with a school-record 37 victories. The Jayhawks (37-3, 13-3 Big 12) tied Texas for the Big 12 regular-season championship – KU’s fourth straight conference title – won their third straight Big 12 tourney championship, entered the 2008 NCAA Tournament as No. 1 seed for the second straight year, advanced to the Elite Eight for the second straight season and its first Final Four since 2003.

Story courtesy:  KUAC