Still an elite 3-point shooter, Brandon Rush reflects on KU basketball days, Bill Self

Former Kansas small forward Brandon Rush, who turns 38 in July, displayed his picture-perfect shooting form in swishing four three-pointers in five tries in Thursday’s Rock Chalk Roundball Classic KU alumni basketball game at jam-packed Free State High School.

“He shoots it like he used to,” KU coach Bill Self said, marveling at the fundamentals of the 6-foot-6, 220-pound Kansas City native — one of 47 individuals to win both NCAA (2008, KU) and NBA (2015, Golden State Warriors) championships.

“He’s more aggressive now than he used to be,” Self added with a smile in joining a conversation between Rush and a Kansas City Star reporter at Friday night’s Roundball Classic cancer fundraiser banquet at Burge Union next to Allen Fieldhouse.

Rush — he played nine years in the NBA and three in Greece before deciding to retire (with the exception of yearly appearances in Ice Cube’s Big Three summer league with former KU players Mario Chalmers and Julian Wright) — concedes once a shooter, always a shooter.

He averaged 13.3 points on 41.9% three-point shooting during KU’s 2008 NCAA title season, then went on to hit 40.2% of his threes in his NBA career. He was a 45.2% three-point shooter for Golden State in 2011-12. That’s his career-best mark from beyond the arc.

“I think my shot is great. I think that’s the last thing that goes when you are a professional athlete, being able to shoot the ball,” Rush said. “You lose a little bounce and all, but being able to flip that ball up there and make some shots has always been kind of easy.”

This year’s Big Three event, which includes weekend sets of games in Chicago, Miami, Dallas and New York, begins June 25 in Chicago. Games are televised on CBS.

“I don’t do too much basketball stuff. I try to keep my body in shape by lifting,” Rush said Friday.

And golfing.

KU head hoops coach Self and assistant Kurtis Townsend set up a Saturday morning tee time with Rush and a player of Rush’s choosing at the Roundball Classic dinner Friday, as The Star observed the friendly banter between KU’s coaches and one of their favorite players of all time.

“The sad thing is Brandon will be the best one of all of us,” Townsend said with a smile of Rush, who reported being “about a 14 handicap” golfer.

“Can you putt?” Self asked Rush.

“I can putt. I can’t drive,” was the response.

“Use your 3-wood (off the tee),” suggested Self, who was looking forward to Saturday’s golf outing slated to take place right before several former Jayhawks gathered at Lawrence’s Royal Crest Lanes for the Roundball Classic’s annual bowling event.

“I still love it here,” Rush said of Lawrence and his hometown of KC, which he said he visits from his new home base in Indianapolis “about five, six times a year.”

“I miss playing a lot,” Rush added. “That’s why I try to stay around basketball with my son (Braelyn, 12, who will attend Bill Self camp Sunday through Thursday) and play a little here and there (for the Big Three). I truly love it.

“Back then (in his three seasons at KU) I was a little quiet and to myself a bit. I’ve been able to branch out, become more open with feelings and expressions. I think it’s growth.”

Rush said he’s been watching closely as another former Jayhawk, Christian Braun, attempts to claim a world championship with the Denver Nuggets right after winning it all at KU in 2022. The Nuggets lead the Miami Heat 3-1 entering Game 5 on Monday in Denver.

“I love C.B. I love how aggressive he is, even on this big stage in his rookie year going out to perform the way Mike Malone (Nuggets coach) wants him to,” Rush said. “He’s one of my favorite coaches. I had Mike Malone at Golden State. He was the head assistant to Mark Jackson. I’m enjoying what C.B. is doing. I hope they win it.”

Rush certainly has been impressed with all aspects of Braun’s game.

“I didn’t know he was a freak athlete like that. He’s fast. He has good instincts on the defensive end. He’s only 22?” Rush asked. “I don’t think he feels pressure. Most of the kids that age probably don’t know the pressure yet. Right now the game of basketball is totally different than when we were growing up. These young guys (such as Braun) like being on the big stage. They just feel like it’s comfortable for them.”

Rush has been impressed with the play of Self’s Jayhawks during Self’s entire 20-year tenure at KU.

“They’ve been able to lose players, come back and be the No. 1 preseason team in America,” Rush said. “It’s fun to watch every year.”