TAMUT basketball’s Jason Bush; a journey throughout time

TEXARKANA, TX (KTAL/KMSS) — Everyone has a different path to the top. Some start at the bottom, some start at the top, some bounce around all levels. No one knows that better than Texas A&M Texarkana Basketball’s Jason Bush.

Bush picked up a basketball when he was three and wouldn’t put it down. So naturally, when it came for Bush to graduate from Longview High School, he wasn’t going to give basketball up.

Two weeks after his high school graduation, Bush was at Tyler Junior College beginning his collegiate career. There, Bush helped the team to 49 wins in just two seasons and a national ranking, catching the eye of Texas State.

Bush joined the Bobcats as a full ride scholarship player in summer of 2020.

“I went there in the summer time, COVID is happening and I was battling injuries as well,” Bush said. “So you know you got COVID, I ended up tweaking my foot in a drill. I don’t know how, but I took my foot and I couldn’t run.”

Life had gotten in the way. Bush decided it might be time to hang it up, at least temporarily.

“I was just in the points where I was like, it’s out of my control, if it’s for me, it’ll come back,” Bush said.

Bush put down the basketball for the first time since he was three. But not for long.

Bush started playing pickup basketball regularly and was feeling good. Basketball had came back for Bush. After a few calls and workouts, he was about to sign with UT Tyler.

“I felt good because you know I’m going around playing with guys that haven’t stopped playing, but yet I’m keeping up with them,” Bush said.”

But then once again, life came back around.

“I was at the job I was working and out of nowhere sharp pain ran right through my foot,” Bush said. “I didn’t wanna sign like a letter of intent knowing the commitment that you know that culture was gonna expect of me.”

Once again, Bush was out of the game. Four years go by, Bush is feeling better. Playing pickup regularly. Basketball calling him once again. He consulted his uncle about the possibility of a comeback.

“He said your window will be small, but if you’re willing to do it and you’re able to do it, which I know you are then you can do it,” Bush said.

Then came a sign. Or more, an ad.

“The same day I was scrolling through instagram, out of nowhere, TAMUT popped up, mens basketball tryout,” Bush said.

Bush tried out and made the team, surprising everyone when they found out about his basketball hiatus.

“He hadn’t played what in 4 years? You’re gonna let him play basketball and he ain’t played in 4 years?” said head coach Darion Brown. “It was a bunch of okay I’ll guess we’ll see how this goes.”

“The first thing he said to me was he hadn’t played ball in four years, he had knee problems, I’m like where am I at? What am I doing over here?” said junior RJ Moore.

Now after a season with the Eagles, Bush is a respected member of the team.

“He was the strongest, most aggressive person on the court, so whatever first impression I had on him, yeah he flew past that for sure,” Moore said.

At least, for the most part.

“It became the butt end of a joke, ‘oh you old, old head,'” Bush said.

But most importantly he’s living with no regrets.

“If you don’t bet on yourself, if you don’t take that risk for yourself, that’s where regrets come in,” Bush said.