A crowd of former Kansas basketball stars will descend on Lawrence this week for the 18th edition of the Rock Chalk Roundball Classic, a charity scrimmage that blends nostalgia with a good cause.
Founded by longtime broadcaster Brian Hanni in 2009, the event has grown into a staple of the state’s basketball community, drawing alumni from the 2008 and 2022 national championship squads as well as other notable figures.
Among the participants are names that fans will recognize from the hardwood — Sasha Kaun, Sherron Collins, Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers, Christian Braun, Ochai Agbaji, Jalen Wilson, Keith Langford, Greg Ostertag and Jacque Vaughn — alongside coaches and teammates who have helped shape the program’s legacy.
The friendly scrimmage is scheduled for Thursday night at Lawrence Free State High School, providing a rare chance for fans to see the legends share the court in a relaxed setting.
Tickets are priced at $15 and can be purchased at various local outlets, while premium MVP tickets at $75 grant special seating and a commemorative shirt, ensuring that contributions flow directly to the families the event supports.
Beyond the gate, supporters can bid on auction items online or make direct donations through the Rock Chalk Roundball Classic website, expanding the reach of the fundraising effort.
All proceeds are earmarked for families with children battling cancer, including the 2026 Starting Five, a group that the organizers say will benefit directly from the community’s generosity.
A tradition of giving
The collaboration with Kansas Athletics underscores the event’s integration within the university’s broader outreach, while the Rock Chalk Roundball Classic itself continues to serve as a model for sports‑driven philanthropy.