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UNC Basketball 2019-20 Player Review: Shea Rush

By Blake Cockrum

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 18: Shea Rush #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels leaves the floor after their 86-65 loss to the Texas A&M Aggies during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 18, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 18: Shea Rush #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels leaves the floor after their 86-65 loss to the Texas A&M Aggies during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 18, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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We continue our UNC basketball player season in review series with Shea Rush, seldom-used reserve and son of former Roy Williams recruiting target, Jaron Rush.

Justin Pierce | Jeremiah Francis | Anthony Harris | Brandon Huffman | Andrew Platek | Christian Keeling | Leaky Black | Armando Bacot | Cole Anthony | Walker Miller | Garrison Brooks

Shea Rush chose to attend the University of North Carolina as a preferred walk-on in 2016, despite being all the way from Kansas City, Missouri and having opportunities for more playing time at other schools. For Rush, it was a lifelong dream to play for UNC head coach Roy Williams and the Tar Heels. It’s something that Shea’s father, Jaron Rush, once had the opportunity to do before having his scholarship offer pulled, and then committing to UCLA.

Rush celebrated a national championship with the Tar Heels less than a year after arriving on campus. As a member of the Tar Heels that beat Gonzaga in Phoenix, Arizona for the program’s sixth NCAA Tournament title, Rush averaged just under one point for the season in 20 appearances of 1.7 minutes per game. As it turns out, those numbers would be the best of his career, as playing time and games played would only decrease in the following seasons.

Twice during his senior season, Rush entered the game and knocked down a three-pointer in very limited minutes. He did it once in one minute of play against Gardner-Webb, and again in just two minutes in a 94-81 loss to Gonzaga. Rush got the only start of his collegiate career on March 3 against Wake Forest on Senior Night.

Regardless of the time he spent on the court, or his overall impact on the games, Rush enjoyed his four seasons at North Carolina, and was an exemplary teammate the entire time. Even when he wasn’t participating in the game at hand, Rush was a cheerleader on the sidelines. He was a terrific locker room guy, and always a positive influence on the players around him.

Next. Garrison Brooks makes decision on senior season. dark

Our review of Shea Rush completes our 2019-20 player season in review series, but check back for all the latest on the UNC basketball program.

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