May 17, 2002

Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri junior guard Kareem Rush has hired an agent in preparation for the upcoming NBA Draft, thus closing out his collegiate eligibility.

Rush, an honorable mention All-American each of the past two seasons at Mizzou, averaged 19.8 points per game as a junior and helped lead the Tigers to the Elite Eight, one year after leading the Big 12 in scoring as a sophomore (21.1 ppg). He declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft in an April 10th press conference at the Hearnes Center.

"We're happy for Kareem," said MU Head Coach Quin Snyder. "This is an important step for him as he continues his path toward playing at the highest level. He's done everything he's needed to do to put himself in this position, and it is going to be exciting to see him playing next year," he said.

The NBA Draft will be held June 26 at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.