Jayhawk Freshman Rush Honored

Feb. 6, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Freshman Brandon Rush has been named this week’s Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Rookie of the Week for games of Jan. 30 – Feb. 5 in voting by a panel of media covering the conference. This is the second time Rush has won the honor this season and the third time for a KU rookie. Jayhawk freshman Mario Chalmers was last week’s honoree.

Rush averaged 21.0 points and 7.0 rebounds last week, leading Kansas to victories over Texas Tech (86-52) and Oklahoma (59-58). The freshman guard collected his third double-double of the season with 24 points and 11 rebounds against the Red Raiders. He followed with 18 points, three boards and three blocks versus the Sooners. Against OU, he had 10 points during a 25-8 KU run. He also had two key blocks in the final minute to seal the victory. Rush has nine-straight double-figure scoring games this season.

This marks the first time Kansas student-athletes have been named Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week three times in one season. Rush joins Nick Collison (1999-2000) and Jeff Boschee (1998-99) who were two-time Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Weeks while at KU. The Kansas City, Mo., native continues to lead the Big 12 freshman class in scoring at 14.8 ppg and is averaging 18 ppg in Big 12 play.