Jayhawks Host Annual Holiday Clinic

Carlton Bragg Jr.

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas men’s basketball team brightened the spirits of over 500 kids during the annual Holiday Clinic on Sunday afternoon inside Allen Fieldhouse and surrounding facilities.

“I don’t think I’ve seen this many kids at this event,” Bill Self said prior to the clinic that he shares a birthday with this year. “We have a great turnout and certainly it gives the kids the opportunity to get to know our student-athletes on a personal level. And it’s also good for families visiting from out of town.”

The Holiday Clinic opened with Coach Self introducing the Kansas team and staff to the clinicians, followed by the throng of 530 future Jayhawks serenating “Happy Birthday” to Coach Self under the direction of camp organizer Brennan Bechard.

The group of kids were then divided into thirds by age group. KU student-athletes and staff counseled the three groups in historic Allen Fieldhouse, the KU Practice Gym and the Horejsi Family Athletic Center learning basketball fundamentals such as shooting, dribbling and defense.

Following each themed session, which included lowered goals to assist the young participants, the groups would rotate buildings to get a full feel of where the Jayhawks practice and play throughout the year. The clinic concluded with an autograph/photo period inside Allen Fieldhouse.

“This is a big-time event. It might be the most kids that we have had in a while,” senior forward Perry Ellis said. “The kids are always so fun to interact with our young fans because of their excitement for the game and excitement to play in Allen Fieldhouse.”

In addition to fundamental instruction from the KU men’s basketball program, participants received an official camp T-shirt, a “Junior” Jayhawk Basketball and one general admission ticket to KU’s home game against UC Irvine on Tuesday (8 p.m., ESPNU).

KUAthletics.com: The official online source for Kansas Athletics, Williams Education Fund contributions, tickets, merchandise, multimedia, photos and much, much more.