A state legislator told Kansas University Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little on Wednesday that there is strong opposition in the Legislature to the proposed $17.5 million Allen Fieldhouse apartments for KU basketball players.

“There is going to be push-back on that,” state Rep. Amanda Grosserode, R-Lenexa, said during a meeting of the House Education budget committee.

“I have massive heartburn about it,” said Grosserode, who is vice chair of the panel.

Gray-Little said the apartments are needed as a recruiting tool and to monitor and protect student-athletes from professional sports agents.

She said currently “people approach basketball players all of the time.”

KU is seeking authority from the state to issue bonds for the building, which would be paid off by the university. Of the 66 apartments in the building, 32 would be for student-athletes and 34 for students who are not athletes.

The project would also include a commons area, kitchen, parking lot and half-court basketball court.