17th Rock Chalk Roundball Classic A Huge Success

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The 17th Annual Rock Chalk Roundball Classic, held on July 10-11, was, once again, a huge success in raising money for six families fighting cancer. This year's event is projected to raise upwards of $250,000 for families fighting pediatric cancer with nearly 50 Kansas luminaries participating in the two days of festivities.

"We are so grateful for the generosity of Jayhawk Nation and the big hearts of our Kansas Athletics alumni as well," event director Brian Hanni said. "You couldn't pull off two events of these proportions at just any school. It takes special tradition with a deep roster of talented Jayhawks who are both passionate about their alma mater and compassionate in giving back to those in need. We are immensely blessed to have all of the above at Kansas."

The 2025 edition of the fundraiser had a new twist. As was announced at the 2024 Roundball Classic, the Yvonne Adams Legacy Fund honoring honors the mother of KU men's basketball player KJ Adams. Yvonne Adams died in November 2023 following a long battle with cancer. The Legacy Fund, created and backed by Kent and Missy McCarthy, benefits a parent dealing with cancer. The first recipient of the Yvonne Adams Legacy Fund is Kristi McAlister of Lawrence. KJ Adams presented McAlister with a check for $25,000 at the Roundball Classic. Additionally, the three finalists for the Yvonne Adams Legacy Fund received $2,000 apiece. KJ and has father, Kevin, voted on the recipient, and did so based on attributes that most reminded them of Yvonne.

The July 10 basketball game kicked off the two-day Rock Chalk Roundball Classic that included a Celebrity Dinner on July 11. Organized by Hanni, the 'Voice of the Jayhawks', besides McAlister, this year's Starting Five + Sixth Man included 15-year-old Tyson Barnett (Kinsley, Kansas), six-year-old Oliver Combes (Overbrook, Kansas), 10-year-old Jaxson Kress (Webb City, Missouri), 12-year-old Ty'Nia Parker (Kansas City, Kansas), three-year-old Ezra Talkington (Salina, Kansas), and 10-year-old Taygan Teneyck (Sliver Lake, Kansas). Additionally, seven other "future stars" children received $1,000 apiece and 20 more were recognized and received $5,000 each as part of the Roundball Classic's year-round benevolence fund.

KU celebrities who participated in the basketball contest for the Blue Team included Brandon McAnderson, Jeff Graves, Ron Kellogg, David McCormack, Travis Releford, Brandon Rush, Tyshawn Taylor, Chris Teahan, Nick Timberlake, and Kevin Young. The Blue team was coached by Greg Ostertag who was ejected from the contest and returned the event as a referee. Ostertag's assistant coaches included Derek Fine, KU baseball coach Dan Fitzgerald, Jerod Haase, Alonzo Jamison, Patrick Richey, Wayne Simien, and Darrell Stuckey.

Crimson KU celebrities consisted of Udoka Azubuike, Parker Braun, Jared Casey, Sherron Collins, Devonte' Graham, Darnell Jackson, Kylie Kopatich, Mike Lee, Mitch Lightfoot, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, and KU volleyball coach Matt Ulmer. The Crimson head coach was KJ Adams and he was assisted by Christian Braun, Chase Buford, Mason Fairchild, Barbara Thompson, Calvin Thompson, and Stephen Vinson.

As the game's focus was on the recipients with a lot of fan interaction, the Crimson Team defeated the Blue Team, 92-78, behind 29 points from Azubuike, who like in his KU days, featured many thunderous dunks throughout the contest. Teahan led the Blue Team with 19 points.

Friday's Celebrity Dinner was held at the Burge Union on the KU campus. Fighting for the cause, there was a silent auction and regular auction for those who attended.

The Rock Chalk Roundball Classic has raised money in excess of $2 million for more than 100 families in its 17 years. According to Hanni, while online donations will still be collected through the end of the month, the 2025 event is currently projected to raise upwards of $250,000.

To learn more about the Rock Chalk Roundball Classic or to donate to the cause, one could go to rockchalkroundballclassic.com.

University of Kansas Athletics

17th Rock Chalk Roundball Classic A Huge Success

Players Mentioned

KJ Adams

Related Videos