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With the 14th annual Rock Chalk Roundball Traditional now only one week away, the main focus begins to shift to the brand new names and faces who might be making their debut look on the charity basketball occasion organized by Brian Hanni.
This yr, nevertheless, you possibly can make a case that everybody there might be new.
That’s as a result of, for the primary time in three years, the Traditional will be capable to characteristic all of its occasions at full capability with out limiting or eliminating any of them due to the pandemic.
That features a basketball sport with a number of the greatest names in KU historical past at 7 p.m. Thursday night time at Free State Excessive, a VIP dinner on June 10 at Burge Union and the second version of the Rock Chalk Roundbowl Traditional bowling problem at Royal Crest Lanes at midday on June 11.
“It’s at all times our goal with the Roundball Traditional to lift life-changing {dollars} for these households battling pediatric most cancers,” Hanni informed the Journal-World on Thursday afternoon. “And the basketball sport and bowling occasion actually are useful in that regard. However our greatest night time of fundraising has at all times been the VIP dinner and we’re thrilled to have that again this yr for the primary time after two summers off.”
As at all times, the funds raised at this yr’s Roundball weekend will go to 5 households of kids battling most cancers. This yr’s beneficiaries — often called “the beginning 5” — are: 2-year-old DK Clark, of Topeka; 13-year-old Jake Jones, of Roeland Park; 10-year-old Fatima Gomez, of Olathe; 1-year-old John Foster, of Edgerton; and 8-year-old George Langston, of Olathe.
Within the first 13 years of the occasion, the Roundball Traditional has raised greater than $772,000 to assist households preventing most cancers. Greater than 100 former KU gamers have returned in some capability to take part within the sport, and this yr’s occasion will add to that quantity, with Devon Dotson, Udoka Azubuike, Dedric Lawson, Malik Newman, Greg Ostertag, Terry Brown and Kylie Kopatich making their sport debuts.
The complete rosters might be launched on Monday, with former KU All-American Wayne Simien teaching one squad and present Washburn basketball coach and former KU walk-on Brett Ballard teaching the opposite facet.
Azubuike, who continues to be with the Utah Jazz and presently rehabbing an ankle harm, might be an assistant coach on Simien’s squad. He’ll be joined on the workers by Perry Ellis.
“Between the three of them, if their group doesn’t dominate the glass and factors within the paint, one thing’s unsuitable,” Hanni joked.
Different notable names who’re anticipated to play on this yr’s sport embody: Devonte’ Graham, Svi Mykhailiuk, Wayne Selden, Sherron Collins, Russell Robinson, Tyshawn Taylor, Brady Morningstar and extra.
As at all times, the VIP dinner will characteristic a theme to the night and this yr might be all about honoring champions within the wake of KU’s run to the 2022 nationwide title. All 5 members of the panel that takes the stage to entertain with tales throughout the dinner may have no less than competed in a Last 4, and the night time will characteristic a particular toast to the 2022 championship group in addition to the 2020 squad that had its likelihood at a title taken away by the pandemic.
“We’re excited that a few of these 2020 guys have made this their weekend to come back again and we actually wish to honor them as a lot as we honor this yr’s group,” Hanni mentioned.
Two members of the beginning 5 — Gomez and Langston — additionally might be on stage to share tales of their KU fandom and struggle towards most cancers.
Along with the return of all three occasions, the postgame autograph classes may even return.
“For followers to have that kind of interactive expertise once more, for the primary time since 2019, we’re tremendous fired up about that, too,” Hanni mentioned.
Tickets to this yr’s Roundball Traditional are $15 apiece and might be bought at twenty third Road Brewery in Lawrence, Johnny’s Tavern in Topeka and three Johnny’s areas within the Kansas Metropolis metro space.
For extra details about the upcoming weekend and to be taught extra about this yr’s beneficiaries, the historical past of the Traditional or to donate, go to www.rockchalkroundballclassic.com.
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