Five Jayhawks taken in NBA draft

Rush, Arthur only two in first round

All Jayhawks drafted in the 2008 NBA Draft were traded at least once.

Kansas University tied an NBA record by having five players taken in Thursday night’s draft, but only two players were selected in the first round.

Many expected this to be the first time KU had three players selected in the first round of the same draft, but it didn’t happen.

Brandon Rush was taken with the 13th pick by the Portland Trail Blazers and then traded to the Indiana Pacers, where he joins brother Kareem on the roster. Darrell Arthur slipped all the way to 27th in the draft, reportedly because of concerns over the condition of his kidney. He was selected by the New Orleans Hornets, traded to the Trailblazers, and then was dealt to the Houston Rockets, who traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies.

“My health is fine,” Arthur said during ESPN’s telecast of the draft.

Mario Chalmers was the first of three KU players chosen in the second round. He was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 34th selection and then traded to the Miami Heat. The Heat used the 52nd pick on Darnell Jackson and then traded his rights to the Cleveland Cavaliers. With the 56th pick, the Seattle SuperSonics selected Sasha Kaun, who already had signed a contract with a professional team in Russia. Kaun’s rights also were traded to the Cavaliers.