Kansas stars declare for the NBA Draft

LAWRENCE, Kan., April 17 (UPI) -- Guard Brandon Rush and forward Darrell Arthur of NCAA men's basketball champion Kansas University Thursday said they would enter this year's NBA draft.

Rush, a 6-foot-6 inch junior from Kansas City, Mo., was the Jayhawks' leading scorer this past season with a 13.3 points per game average, including a 42 percent average on three-pointers. He added 5.1 rebounds per game.

Arthur, a 6-foot-9 inch sophomore from Dallas, averaged 12.8 points and 6.3 rebounds while averaging 1.5 blocked shots.

Both players are projected to be first-round picks.

Rush declared early following his sophomore season, but pulled out after a knee injury left his draft status in question. His declaration Thursday leaves him with no collegiate eligibility remaining because this is the second time has declared his intention.

If Arthur does not hire an agent, he can return to school if he withdraws his name from the draft by the NBA's June 16 deadline.