Self hears about game

Bill Self, who couldn’t watch Wednesday’s scrimmage between current and former Kansas University basketball players in accordance with NCAA rules, did hear about the contest from some of his campers.

“I guess it was a fairly competitive game, which is good,” Self, KU’s coach, said of the alumni’s 76-69 victory at Horejsi Center. “We didn’t have five of our key guys who were not here today. Maybe they’ll play it better next week.”

The campers and alumni will scrimmage again Wednesday as a highlight of Self’s second summer camp session.

Wednesday, the 2008-09 Jayhawks were missing guard Sherron Collins, who had arthroscopic left knee surgery April 21 and has not yet been cleared for contact, as well as guard Tyrone Appleton, who was working a camp in Kansas City.

Mario Little, a guard out of Chipola (Fla.) CC, will complete a summer-school course and graduate Tuesday. He’s expected to arrive Wednesday, perhaps in time for the camp game.

Twin forwards Marcus and Markieff Morris are working on gaining eligibility back home in Philadelphia.

“The twins : we hope to get some favorable news where they’ll get here in the next couple of weeks,” Self said. “They still have to tighten up a couple of issues, classes. We don’t anticipate a problem.”

Taylor looking good

Freshman guard Tyshawn Taylor reportedly played well at last weekend’s Elite camp. He had six points in Wednesday’s scrimmage and was effective running the offense.

“Tyshawn is a bigger Russell (Robinson),” Self said. “He has some stuff in his game. I don’t know how he played today. He has a chance to be a special player here.”

More on NBA-bound Mario

Self does not expect any surprises involving Mario Chalmers, who last week told Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets reporters he has played his last game at KU.

“He’s staying in the draft,” Self said. “He’s telling everybody he’s leaving. Why would he be saying that if he’s still thinking he’s going to come back?”

Chalmers’ dad, Ronnie, told ESPN’s Andy Katz this week, “Based on the reports we’re getting back, it looks like a lock for the first round.”

Mario Chalmers, who as a first-round pick would land a guaranteed contract, has worked out for Phoenix, Washington and Denver. He will be in Cleveland today and New Orleans on Saturday. College players have until Monday to withdraw their names from the draft if they wish to return to school.

Boogie fever

Self said his first Basketball Boogie, held Saturday at Kansas Speedway, was a success.

“I think we netted in excess of 400 (thousand for his Assists Foundation),” he said. “We have not had all the final expenses yet. It was a pretty good night for a first-time event, a heck of a party.”

This, that

Former KU guard Jeff Hawkins hit three three-pointers and scored 13 points. Hawkins, who lives in Hays, said he is hoping to land a professional contract for next season. … Former KU forward Lester Earl played sparingly. Earl, who lives in Overland Park, said his left knee continues to bother him and he might have a knee replacement in three or four years. … Former KU guard Terry Nooner, who runs the Kansas City Pro-Am League, attended but did not play. … Lance Stephenson, a 6-5 senior-to-be from Lincoln High in Brooklyn, N.Y., tells Zagsblog he has a final list of KU, UCLA and Kentucky.