THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2011
PAGE 23
BASKETBALL
Players wow audience for good cause
BY KATHLEEN GIER
kgier@kansan.com
Jeff Graves started with a dunk, Cole Aldrich hit hookshots and Scot Pollard showed up with sideburns and his signature samurai hair. These were the familiar sights at the third annual Rock Chalk Roundball Classic.
"It felt like I was rejuvenated," Graves said. "It is so much like a cloud nine to come back here because everyone makes you feel welcome."
On Thursday, June 16, however, these former Jayhawks were not looking for another victory. Instead, they were playing for a cause.
The Jayhawk Radio Network and 1320 KLWN organized the event to raise money and awareness for local families affected by children's cancer. The event was at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. This year, the event focused on "Baby Jay" Jayden Souter. She was diagnosed with a stage 3 Wilms' Tumor in 2008. She underwent chemotherapy before losing her battle earlier this year.
"The least I feel we can do is
come back for something bigger than basketball," Jeff Hawkins said. "We were all here to support Jayden."
With a roster that boasted more than 20 former basketball players from three different coaching eras, the event offered something for every fan. The silent auction featured jerseys, a tour of the Ford Center in Oklahoma City with Nick Collison, a basketball signed by coach Bill Self and boxing shorts signed by "Vicious" Victor Ortiz, who is
the current Welterweight Champion.
Event coordinator Brian Hanni released an early estimate that said the event raised around $19,500 for the Souter family.
"Kansas bas-
"Kansas basketball is pretty powerful in this state and obviously in this town so to be able to come back and give back like this is not only gratifying, it is fun," Brett Ballard said.
graduate Tyrel Reed, defeated the Red Team 114-102. Throughout the game, Reed and Brady Morningstar, who was on the Red Team, entered a shootout, tossing up 3-pointers that found the basket from every angle on the court. Aldrich, who is now an Oklahoma City Thunder forward, wowed the crowd with dunks on several trips down the floor and Pollard entertained the crowd throughout the game.
The Blue Team, led by 2010
"Kansas basketball is pretty powerful in this state and obviously in this town so to be able to come back and give back like this is not only gratifying, it is fun.
The roster changed through the
BRETT BALLARD
Former men's Basketball player
weeks leading up to the event and was not finalized until the day of the game. The Blue Team featured Ballard, Reed, Pollard, Billy Thomas, Stephen Vinson, Jeff Carey.
Greg Gurley, Jeff Graves and Moulaye Niang. The Red Team featured Hawkins, Ortiz, Morningstar, Aldrich, Russell Robinson, Lester Earl, Brennan Bechard, Joel Branstrom and Brad Witherspoon.
Mike Gunnoe/KANSAN
Cole Aldrich dribbles over Bryce Crowell Thursday at the Roundball Classic. Crowell got a chance to play by winning a game of knockout before the game.