"I'm not interested in these guys coming in to fit in and not step on anybody's feet," O'Brien said Tuesday.

Oops.

"As a matter of fact, I'd like them to compete for starting jobs. I said to Brandon: 'If you want to come in and fit in, the veterans would be more than happy to just let you fit in. We want you to compete with the veterans."'

The Pacers announced that both Rush and Hibbert signed Tuesday. Based on the league's rookie scale, Rush will make about $1.5 million his first year as the No. 13 pick, and Hibbert will make about $1.2 million as the 17th selection. All rookie contracts for first-round picks are guaranteed the first two years, with options for the next two. The team did not provide details.

Hibbert, a center from Georgetown, came in the trade that sent Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto. Rush, a guard from Kansas, came to the Pacers in a trade with Portland that became official last week.

Team president Larry Bird has called the 7-foot-2, 278-pound Hibbert the best big man in the draft. He averaged 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks as a senior.

Hibbert was a projected lottery pick in 2007 who decided to return to school for his senior year and get his degree. He said playing all four years at Georgetown helped him develop.

"Just being a mature player, having the weight of the whole season on my shoulders really helped me out as a player," he said. "I worked on a lot of things - shooting from the outside and making sure I become a better all-around player."

Hibbert also is likely to stay out of trouble, something the Pacers were extra careful about because of their string of off-court problems in recent years.

"I'm a real quiet type of guy," Hibbert said. "I'm the type of guy who likes to play my XBox. I'm not the type of guy to go out to the bars or clubs. That's not my scene."

Rush, a 6-foot-7 wing player, averaged 13.3 points last season to help Kansas win a national championship. O'Brien likes his scoring ability, athleticism and defensive skills.

"I think Brandon's going to give us the ability to play right away at both ends of the court," O'Brien said. "We think he has the chance to be an outstanding defensive player with some work and some growth, and he already knows how to put the ball in the basket."

Rush will be sharing playing time with Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy, who both averaged more than 19 points last season.

"I knew that coming in that I was going to have to compete," Rush said. "I'm going to give it my best."

O'Brien already is thinking about how he's going to tinker with his lineup. He likes the possibility of a small lineup with Granger, Dunleavy and Rush.

"I would say that every game at some point in time, I'd be shocked if that threesome wasn't on the court," O'Brien said. "Certainly, Larry and I talked about the ability of those guys to play together."