USF Mourns the Loss of Former Standout Center Donzel Rush
TAMPA, AUG. 2, 2017 – Former University of South Florida men's basketball player Donzel Rush passed away unexpectedly earlier this week. He was 43.
A center from Miami, Rush was a four-year starter (1993-96) for USF and helped lead the Bulls to an appearance in the 1995 NIT. Rush posted 15 rebounds in the USF's NIT opening-round victory over St. John's and added another 10 rebounds in a win over Coppin State, fueling a USF run to the NIT Elite Eight.
"He was an unbelieve teammate," said USF assistant coach Chad Dollar, who played his final season as a Bull with Rush in 1993. "(Donzel) was a freshman coming in and eager to learn. He was a fun-loving guy who had nothing but positive vibes as a teammate."
Rush's .476 field goal percentage in 1995-96 was a team-high. He averaged 9.7 points and 7.6 rebounds that season.
"He was a guy I enjoyed being around and he was very valued by his teammates," said Jim Louk, USF Associate Director of Athletics / BullsVision & Broadcasting and former men's basketball play-by-play announcer. "He did everything he could to help his team win, was a very consistent performer, and really represented the team well during his time here. Everybody liked him."
In his career at USF, Rush compiled 946 points and 724 rebounds, which rank fifth in program history.
"The USF family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Donzel Rush," said USF Director of Athletics Mark Harlan. "Bulls fans remember Donzel well as a much-loved former member of our men's basketball program. We cherish the student-athletes that wear the Green & Gold and it is especially difficult to see one of them pass so young. Our thoughts and prayers are with Donzel's family."
Following graduation, he started playing professionally in 1996 and competed internationally from 1997-2012.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
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About USF Men's Basketball
The USF men's basketball team is led by head coach Brian Gregory. On March 22, Gregory was introduced as the 10th head coach in program history. He previously led programs at Georgia Tech (2011-16) and Dayton (2003-11). Gregory spent nearly a decade as an assistant coach under Michigan State's Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo and helped the Spartans win the 2000 NCAA National Championship. Gregory brings nearly 250 career head coaching wins and six postseason appearances, including the 2010 NIT Championship, to Tampa.
USF has retired three numbers in its 47-year history: Chucky Atkins (12), Charlie Bradley (30) and Radenko Dobras (31). The Bulls have earned three NCAA tournament bids and appeared in the NIT eight times.
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