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KANSAN.COM/SPORTS MONDAY,JUNE 20,2016
ROUNDBALL FROM
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Two different videos were shown, one for Anna Kearney, one of the beneficiaries, who could not attend the event. The other honored Levi Ross, one of last year's beneficiaries who passed away in September.
"Just looking around the room and you got to see the journey of [Levi] Ross across the country down Highway 101," Hanni said. "Obviously we hate it that he can't be here [tonight]. I think some people can take something away from that."
As for Aldrich and McLemore, both have been ambassadors to Kansas Basketball, according to
Hanni. Both players donated their game-worn shoes for the silent auction, moments before the event. One of the two pairs McLemore donated was sent to Kearney in Seattle.
"That was totally unsolicited, out of the goodness of his heart," Hanni said. "That was his brainchild to do that. That's what we are dealing with here, Jayhawks with hearts as huge as their talents."
McLemore, who scored 38 points for the blue team, said he always likes coming back to the place he called home during the 2012-13 season, after redshirting during the 2012 season.
Attendees of the Rock Chalk Roundball Classic at Free State High School buy raffle tickets before the game, raising funds for children with cancer and rare diseases.
"It's fun just going out there and giving the crowd [a show]," McLemore said.
"This event and going out there and doing it for the kids."
Alex Robinson/KANSAN
Aldrich, who has taken an extra step and sent video messages to Kearney and Ross, said it makes things special for him to come back to Lawrence every so often.
"Tonight [Thursday] is all about them," Aldrich said. "Just getting that time and not able to worry about those problems."
Hanni said he thinks Coach Bill Self's influence has helped so many Jayhawks come back and help their community.
Aldrich contributed 17 points in the win for the red squad.
"He's produced high character kids," Hanni
said. "He's made them into young men, who want to use their platform to give back. Young men who realize the position of influence they have. With every graduating class there's another
one like that. These [players] are becoming the best ambassadors for Kansas Athletics and how blessed are we as a fan base to have guys like that."
Any fan who could not
attend the event this past Thursday can still donate to the cause for the next two weeks. For more information, visit the Rock Chalk Roundball Classic page on Facebook.