JaRon Rush facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 12, 1979 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| High school | The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City, Missouri) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | UCLA (1998–2000) |
| NBA Draft | 2000 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 2000–2001 |
| Coaching career | 2018–present |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 2000–2001 | Los Angeles Stars |
| 2001 | Roanoke Dazzle |
| As coach: | |
| 2018–2019 | Kansas City Tornadoes (player development) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
JaRon Maurice Rush, born on April 12, 1979, is an American basketball coach and a former professional player. He played as a small forward and was known for his skills on the court. JaRon played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins before becoming a professional player.
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Playing Career
JaRon Rush had an exciting journey in basketball, from high school to college and then playing professionally.
High School Success
JaRon played high school basketball at The Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City, Missouri. He helped his team win three state championships. However, these state titles were later taken away because of rules violations involving player payments.
During his high school years, JaRon was recognized as the best basketball player in the Kansas City area. He won the James A. DiRenna Award twice by himself. In his senior year, he shared the award with Victor Williams. JaRon's high school career ended with a memorable moment: a windmill dunk that broke the backboard!
College Basketball at UCLA
After high school, JaRon went on to play college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. In his first year, the 1998–99 season, he was named the team's most valuable freshman. He also earned a spot on the Pacific-10 Conference All-Freshman team.
In his second year, the 1999–2000 season, JaRon made a game-winning shot. With only three seconds left, he hit a jumper that helped UCLA defeat the top-ranked Stanford team in overtime. This was a big upset victory for the Bruins.
After his sophomore year, JaRon decided to enter the 2000 NBA draft. He hoped to be picked in the first round, but he was not selected by any NBA team.
Professional Play
Even though he wasn't drafted into the NBA, JaRon continued his professional career. In 2000, he was drafted by the Kansas City Knights in the ABA league. He was later traded to the Los Angeles Stars, where he played during the 2000–2001 season.
In 2001, JaRon faced some personal challenges and took a break to focus on his well-being. He later tried out for the Seattle SuperSonics of the National Basketball Association but was the final player cut from their team. He then played 14 games for the Roanoke Dazzle in the D-League before leaving the team in December 2001. He briefly joined the Kansas City Knights' practice squad in 2002 but retired from basketball that same year.
Coaching Career
After his playing career, JaRon Rush moved into coaching. In 2006, he accepted a job as a freshman girls B-team basketball coach at Blue Valley Northwest High School. He has continued to be involved in basketball, helping young players develop their skills.
Personal Life
JaRon Rush comes from a family of talented basketball players. His younger brothers, Kareem and Brandon, also became professional basketball players.
JaRon has a son named Shea, who was born during JaRon's senior year of high school. Shea also plays basketball and made his high school team at The Barstow School in Kansas City in 2013. JaRon lives in Kansas City and regularly spends time with his son, often playing basketball together. In 2016, Shea committed to play college basketball for the University of North Carolina under coach Roy Williams.
