Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce (34) and Miami Heat's Mario Chalmers

The NBA season — a full NBA season — tips off tonight, and 14 (!) former Kansas basketball players will play their first of 82 games in the coming days.

Two Jayhawks are beginning their rookie campaigns. Two more are starting over with new squads. Several others are trying to carve out roles on up-and-coming teams. A few lucky ‘Hawks even look like they’ll be chasing their first (or second) NBA titles. And one former KU player is beginning his first year as a head coach in the league.

It’ll be a blast to follow. And we’ll try to make it easy for you, with our weekly ‘Hawks in the NBA national TV schedule (below).

You can also stay informed by checking back to this blog, the “Jayhawks in the NBA” landing page and our up-to-date listing of every Jayhawk in the league, present and past.

Happy NBA-ing, everyone.

Today, Oct. 30

– Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics vs. Mario Chalmers and the Miami Heat, 7 p.m., TNT

Wednesday, Oct. 31

– Xavier Henry and the New Orleans Hornets vs. the San Antonio Spurs, 7 p.m., NBATV

Thursday, Nov. 1

– Nick Collison and the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. the San Antonio Spurs, 8:30 p.m., TNT

Friday, Nov. 2

– Mario Chalmers and the Miami Heat vs. the New York Knicks, 7 p.m., ESPN

Saturday, Nov. 3

– Brandon Rush and the Golden State Warriors vs. the Los Angeles Clippers, 9:30 p.m., NBATV