photo by: Henry Greenstein/Journal-World

The Kansas men's basketball team poses for a photo at its annual holiday shopping event at the Iowa Street Walmart on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

Wednesday night brought one of the surest signs that the holiday season has arrived in Lawrence, as the Kansas men’s basketball team visited the Iowa Street Walmart for its annual shopping excursion in partnership with the Salvation Army.

Sixteen KU players used an allotted budget and a gift list to purchase holiday prizes for local families in need.

“It’s a great cause,” KU coach Bill Self said. “You know, Christmastime, and we’re all so blessed and fortunate and have so many things going for us that we get hung up on not winning a game, or a bad practice, or a tough school day.

“And there’s families out there that can use a little boost, especially at a time when they’ll all be around each other, and celebrating, and every child deserves to have something under the Christmas tree. Our guys understand that and appreciate it, so it’s fun for them to do.”

Roger and Linda Morningstar have helped organize the event every year since 1993, meaning it has lasted long enough for current KU assistant coach Jacque Vaughn to have done it each of his four years in Lawrence in the 1990s.

Redshirt sophomore guard Jamari McDowell, at this point a veteran of the annual tradition, described his shopping strategy as follows: “I feel like on the list there’s things the kids need. Obviously there’s things that they want. I think if I was a parent, I would be in the fine line of a little bit of both. That’s kind of how my parents were.”

“It’s super special to do something for others when you have the opportunity to,” he added.

The event arrived a bit earlier in the month of December than usual, but it timed out well for the Jayhawks with finals “basically over Friday,” Self said, and a light testing schedule on Thursday.

“It’s always good to give back,” guard Wilder Evers said. “It feels good, and to know you’re doing something good is always important.”

The Jayhawks next play N.C. State in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Central Time.

photo by: Henry Greenstein/Journal-World

Roger Morningstar explains the parameters to the KU men’s basketball team at its annual holiday shopping event at the Iowa Street Walmart on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

photo by: Henry Greenstein/Journal-World

Tre White shows off a Spider-Man toy at KU’s annual holiday shopping event at the Iowa Street Walmart on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

photo by: Henry Greenstein/Journal-World

Darryn Peterson poses for a photo while looking at shoes at KU’s annual holiday shopping event at the Iowa Street Walmart on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

photo by: Henry Greenstein/Journal-World

Jayden Dawson consults his gift list at KU’s annual holiday shopping event at the Iowa Street Walmart on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

photo by: Henry Greenstein/Journal-World

Paul Mbiya poses for a photo at KU’s annual holiday shopping event at the Iowa Street Walmart on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

photo by: Henry Greenstein/Journal-World

Wilder Evers poses for a photo at KU’s annual holiday shopping event at the Iowa Street Walmart on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

photo by: Henry Greenstein/Journal-World

Nginyu Ngala poses for a photo at KU’s annual holiday shopping event at the Iowa Street Walmart on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

photo by: Henry Greenstein/Journal-World

Elmarko Jackson stops for a photo at KU’s annual holiday shopping event at the Iowa Street Walmart on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

photo by: Henry Greenstein/Journal-World

Corbin Allen poses for a photo at KU’s annual holiday shopping event at the Iowa Street Walmart on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

photo by: Henry Greenstein/Journal-World

Melvin Council smiles for a photo at KU’s annual holiday shopping event at the Iowa Street Walmart on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.