July 11, 2007
Columbia, Mo. - The summer has been an exciting time for a number of former University of Missouri standouts, as the emergence of Kareem Rush in Indianapolis and Thomas Gardner in Chicago has the former Tigers aiming at roster spots in the National Basketball Association next season.
Gardner has played in two games with the Bulls this summer and is averaging 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 steals in games vs. Indiana and Charlotte. The 6-foot-6 swingman scored a summer-league best eight points in a narrow 93-89 loss to Rush and the Pacers, while dropping in six in the 92-80 win over the Bobcats.
A three-year letter-winner for the Tigers in 2003-06, Gardner played in 34 of 36 games last season with Verviers-Pepinster in Belgium, ranking third on the club with 12.2 points per game. Gardner shot an impressive 49 percent from the floor, which led all V-P guards and averaged just over 27 minutes a contest. Gardner topped the 20-point barrier six times throughout the year, including season highs of 26 points in a pair of meetings with Generali Okapi Aalstar. The Portland, Ore., native hit an incredible 7-of-9 treys in the first meeting with Generali Okapi Aalstar on Oct. 14, 2006, while following that up with 26 points, five boards, three assists and four steals in the second affair.
Gardner spent his time in Belguim playing alongside former University of Alabama-Birmingham guard Carldell "Squeaky" Johnson. The Mike Anderson protégé averaged 4.5 points, 2.2 boards, 2.7 assists and a team-leading 1.4 steals for Verviers-Pepinster.
A member of Mizzou's All-Century Team, Rush is making his NBA comeback after starting the 2005-06 season in Charlotte. The forward averaged 10.1 points in 47 games for the Bobcats, including 25 games as a starter, but was later released by the club in April. A groin injury thwarted his next opportunity in Seattle, but an chance playing overseas for Lietuvous Rytas in Lithuania allowed Rush to resurface. The Kansas City native was named Most Valuable of the Lithuanian Basketball League All-Star Game and led his team to the Baltic League title, while earning Final Four MVP accolades.
Rush has played in one game for the Pacers this summer, scoring 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor and 5-of-6 shooting from the three-point line in the win over Chicago.