Bobcats Re-Sign Guard Kareem Rush

"It was a priority for us to re-sign Kareem and we are glad to have him back,” said General Manager & Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff. “Kareem has the potential to be a go-to scorer, someone who can create his own shot and make the outside jumper. We look forward to having him for the entire season, and injury-free, where he can showcase his talents and be a significant part of our team.”

Rush averaged 11.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 25.8 minutes last season in 34 appearances after being acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers on December 6 for two second round picks. He missed the final 27 games of the season with a left knee MCL sprain suffered at New Orleans on March 2.

The 6-6, 215-pound guard scored a season-high 24 points on January 27 at Chicago and reached double-figure scoring 22 times, 14 as a starter. He recorded three other 20-plus point games, including 23 points against New Jersey on December 21, 21 points against Toronto on January 28 and 20 points against Denver on February 16.

Rush was drafted by Toronto with the 20th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft and was immediately traded to the Lakers. He appeared in 14 games with Los Angeles and averaged 0.9 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.2 assists in 6.5 minutes before being acquired by Charlotte.

During the 2003-04 season with the Lakers, Rush averaged 6.4 points and 1.3 rebounds in 17.3 minutes. He also recorded career-highs in points (30) points, field goals (13) and field goal attempts (22) at Sacramento on January 16, 2004.