Nov. 19, 2003

WACO, Texas - Tim Bush, a freshman forward at LSU in 2002-2003 before leaving the team earlier this month, has signed scholarship papers to transfer to Baylor, men's basketball coach Scott Drew announced Wednesday.

Bush will enroll at Baylor for the spring semester but will not be eligible to play until after the conclusion of the fall 2004 semester. He will compete for the Bears as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining.

"Tim Bush is one of those types of players who our fans will really enjoy watching," Drew said. "He plays extremely hard, and is someone who does not shy away from contact. Our staff is also very excited about the fact that Tim will be able to practice following the end of this semester with our team; that should help prepare us for the Big 12 season."

As a true freshman last season at LSU, Bush appeared in 10 games, averaging 0.7 points and 1.5 rebounds per contest. The 6-foot-6 forward pulled down at least one rebound in every game except for his last appearance in the SEC Tournament.

Coming out of high school, Bush was ranked the No. 137 prospect in the class of 2003 by HoopScoop magazine. Bush did not play his senior season at Shaw High School in New Orleans, but averaged 15 points and eight rebounds per game as a junior. A strong summer performance improved his prospect status, including MVP honors at the 2001 Michael Jordan camp in Santa Barbara, Calif. He also was among the top 10 prospects at the Great American 2001 Shootout in Denton, Texas.

Baylor has signed two high school players during the early signing period: Aaron Bruce, a 6-2 guard from Australia, and Mamadou Diene, a 7-foot-tall center from Senegal.

The Bears begin their 2003-2004 regular-season schedule Saturday against Texas Southern. Tip-off at the Ferrell Center is set for 8 p.m., following the women's basketball game against Nicholls State.