For Kansas University’s men’s basketball team, ’tis the season to be jolly … and to be generous.

Which is why 13 KU players and several student managers played the role of Santa late Sunday night, good-naturedly prancing through the aisles of Wal-Mart, 3300 Iowa, while purchasing items for needy families.

“It was fun. The most fun is picking out the toys,” KU senior forward Nick Collison said. “The clothes, you’ve got to be practical, but it’s fun to go through the toy aisles again. It’s been a long time since I’ve been through those.”

Same for sophomore guard Michael Lee, who couldn’t help needling a couple of Jayhawks during their shopping excursion.

“It’s fun to see Aaron Miles grabbing dolls and B-Nash going through women’s clothing. I think that’s funny to see,” Lee said of teammates Miles and Bryant Nash.

“I’ve never shopped for Barbies or women’s clothes before. It was a good learning experience, I guess,” Lee joked, placing an extreme cycle and lots of clothing on the cashier’s table after an hour’s worth of shopping.

Players who needed help in shopping for women’s clothes could ask the advice of KU’s female student managers.

“I was with Kirk (Hinrich), and it’s his fourth year. He’s pretty much got the system down. He does a good job,” said manager Jessica Johansen, a senior from Dannebrog, Neb. “It means a lot to know we are helping people less fortunate than we are. It’s fun to pick clothes out for people and help them have a Merry Christmas, too.”

KU coach Roy Williams and all his assistants also all made the trek to Wal-Mart with family members.

“We realize how fortunate we are. There are a lot of people not as fortunate,” Williams said. “It does give the kids a sense of accomplishing something and helping out somebody this time of year when you should have the spirit of giving.”

Kansas assistant coach Steve Robinson, left, and KU senior Kirk Hinrich relax inside Wal-Mart while waiting for other members of the men's basketball team to finish purchasing gifts during a team shopping trip. Players picked out items Sunday night at the Lawrence store and will donate the gifts to families for the holidays.

“I think it’s good to help people,” Lee said. “It’s good to give back.”

Added Collison, “It’s great coach finds a way to raise money for this.”

The goodies, in fact, are paid for by Williams, former Jayhawk Roger Morningstar and members of Lawrence’s Roundball Club. The basketball ambassadors and members of Morningstar’s family wrap the goods. which are delivered by the Salvation Army on Christmas Eve or Christmas.

“I’m not sure where it (money) comes from, but coach doing that says a lot about him. For us we just get to have fun picking the stuff out. He’s the one who gets it done,” Collison said.

The Jayhawks take part in several charitable causes during the season, including a Special Olympics clinic, signing and selling autographed basketballs for various charities, participating in the Salvation Army’s food drive and fund raising for Coaches V. Cancer.

“We feel it’s important,” KU coach Williams said, “and it’s a good time for the kids.”