Table of Biography
Kareem Lamar Rush, born on October 30, 1980, is a retired American professional basketball athlete.
Early Life and Childhood
Kareem Rush was born on October 30, 1980, in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in a supportive family alongside his parents, whose names are not publicly available, and siblings. Kareem attended Pembroke Hill High School in Kansas City, where he showcased his basketball talent.
After completing high school, he attended the University of Missouri, where he played college basketball for the Missouri Tigers. His younger brother, Brandon, formerly competed for the Minnesota Timberwolves, while his elder brother, JaRon, pursued college basketball at UCLA. Kareem is 43 years old.
Kareem Rush with his brothers, Source: X.com
Career and Professional Life
College Career
Following his graduation from Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City, Kareem Rush enrolled at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. There, he gained recognition as a standout guard on the basketball team.
Rush achieved an impressive average of 19.8 points per game during his junior year, leading the Tigers to the Western Regional finals in the NCAA tournament, where they were defeated by Oklahoma.
In his sophomore year of 2000–01, he topped the Big 12 in scoring with an average of 21.1 points per game. Throughout this period, Rush collaborated with renowned conditioning coach Istvan Javorek.
Los Angeles Lakers (2002-2004)
Rush declared for the 2002 NBA draft following his junior season and was chosen as the 20th overall pick by the Toronto Raptors. However, his rights were promptly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite being projected as a potential top-10 pick, Rush faced a similar situation as his elder brother JaRon, a former UCLA star who went undrafted in the 2000 draft after leaving the Bruins following his sophomore season.
Reflecting on his brother’s experience, JaRon expressed sadness, stating, “No one wants to see something like that happen to his brother. I mean, I knew he was going to get drafted eventually, but it was still hard.”
Kareem Rush playing for the Lakers, Source: X.com
During his initial two seasons, Rush played a limited role as a backup player on the Lakers, who were led by stars Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. However, his exceptional three-point shooting accuracy earned him more playing time during the 2003–2004 playoffs under coach Phil Jackson.
Despite the Lakers’ loss to the Pistons in the NBA Finals, Rush made a significant impact as a sharpshooter, averaging 14 minutes per game and converting 40% of his three-point attempts during the playoffs.
Notably, he played a crucial role in the Lakers’ victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, scoring 18 points in the decisive sixth game, all of which came from 3-point range, where he shot 6 for 7.
Charlotte Bobcats (2004-2006)
After playing 14 games into the 2004–05 season, the Lakers traded Rush to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for two future second-round draft picks. In Charlotte, Rush experienced an increased role, frequently starting games and averaging over 25 minutes and 11.5 points per game.
He achieved a notable milestone by setting a then-Bobcats franchise record with 35 points scored against the Indiana Pacers. However, his season was cut short on March 2 when he suffered a strained MCL during a game in New Orleans.
Seattle SuperSonics (2006)
In the 2006–07 offseason, Rush inked a deal with the Seattle SuperSonics, but his recovery from a groin injury progressed slowly. In November 2006, the team waived him to accommodate replacements for two frontcourt players who had suffered injuries.
Lithuania(2006- 2007)
Following his departure from the NBA, Rush spent the subsequent season playing in Lithuania. On December 21, 2006, he inked a deal with ULEB Cup participant Lietuvos rytas based in Vilnius.
Handpicked by Slovenian coach Zmago Sagadin, Rush played a pivotal role in leading his team to the cup final. His exceptional performance was recognized when he was named the MVP of the 2007 LKL All-Star Game on February 24.
Additionally, Rush played a significant role in helping his team secure the championship title of the Baltic Basketball League on April 21, where he was honoured as the Final Four MVP.
Indiana Pacers (2007 – 2008)
On July 3, 2007, Rush officially joined the Indiana Pacers, with the team emphasizing their requirement for a skilled shooter.
Philadelphia 76ers (2008 – 2009)
On July 28, 2008, Rush finalized a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Los Angeles Clippers (2009 – 2010)
Rush later joined the Los Angeles Clippers due to injuries to other players on the roster. Unfortunately, his stint with the team was cut short when he suffered an ACL tear in his right knee on November 18, 2009.
Tragically, the game played on November 17, 2009, turned out to be Rush’s final NBA appearance. The Clippers lost to the New Orleans Hornets with Rush playing for less than 2 minutes and recording no stats. Subsequently, Rush was waived by the Clippers on January 22, 2010.
Los Angeles D-Fenders (2012)
On March 12, 2012, the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA D-League acquired Rush.
Los Angeles Slam(2012 – 2013)
For the 2012–13 season, Rush played for the Los Angeles Slam of the ABA
Los Angeles D-Fenders (2013 – 2014)
In November 2013, Rush was once again acquired by the Los Angeles D-Fenders. However, on January 22, 2014, he decided to depart from the D-Fenders, stating his intention to formally retire from basketball.
Big3 Basketball (2017)
In 2017, Rush became a part of the BIG3 basketball league, joining the 3-Headed Monsters team. The team boasted a talented roster featuring NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton as head coach, along with notable players such as Kwame Brown, Rashard Lewis, Jason Williams, and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
North American Premier Basketball (2018 – Present)
In January 2018, he signed with the Kansas City Tornados of the first-year North American Premier Basketball.
Awards and Nominations
Kareem Rush’s illustrious basketball career was marked by numerous accolades and achievements. In 1999, he earned recognition as a Fourth-team Parade All-American, showcasing his talent and promise early on.
His journey continued to flourish as he ventured into professional basketball, notably winning the LKL All-Star award and sharing the title of LKL All-Star Game Co-MVP in 2007.
That same year, Rush played a pivotal role in leading his team to victory as the Baltic Basketball League champion, where he was also honoured with the title of Baltic Basketball League Final Four MVP. These awards underscored Rush’s exceptional skill, dedication, and contributions to the sport throughout his career.
Singing Career
Rush, in addition to his basketball career, pursued music as a singer and songwriter. He debuted his single “Hold You Down” in 2010, followed by his first full-length album titled “Rehabbing R&B,” which comprised 12 tracks. Furthermore, in 2015, he released another album titled “The Rebirth of the Renaissance Man.”
Personal Life
Details about Kareem Rush’s personal life, including relationships or family, are not widely documented in public sources. He has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing primarily on his basketball career and other professional endeavours.
Model Bonnie-Jill Laflin and Kareem Rush during the Sports Illustrated Experience Friday Night Party, Source: Famous People Today
Body Measurements
Kareem is 6 feet 6 inches tall. He weighs around 98 kg. He has black hair and black eyes.
Social Media
Kareem Rush maintains a presence on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, where he shares updates about his life and career. He is available on Instagram as @kareemlrush and has around 3 thousand followers.
He also shares his insights on ‘X’. Rush is available as KareemRush and has around 5 thousand followers. Moreover, he is also available on Facebook as Kareem Rush.
Net Worth 2024
Kareem’s successful basketball career and professional endeavours likely contribute to his overall wealth and financial stability. Rush’s net worth is $9 million.