Jaxson Kress, a beneficiary of the Rock Chalk Roundball Classic, slaps hands with Crimson Team player Devonte Graham during the second half of the event at Free State High School. Photo by Nick Krug

When Kansas broadcaster Brian Hanni and the rest of the Rock Chalk Roundball Classic organizers made the decision to move the event to early June this year, due to concerns about hotel and flight availability during the FIFA World Cup, there was some concern it might end up being a “B-plus-caliber year” for the long-running charity basketball game.

But those worries proved to be unfounded: “Honestly, this is an A,” Hanni said.

Some players may have had commitments to their overseas careers that will keep them away from Lawrence. But on the whole, the group of KU basketball alumni who participate in the game, and the following night’s Celebrity Dinner, every year has proven committed enough to gather for the latest iteration of the event and make it as good as ever, Hanni said.

The Roundball Classic is coming up on its 18th year benefiting pediatric cancer patients, with the game set for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Free State High School and the dinner set for Friday at 7 p.m. at the new KU Conference Center.

Hanni, who created the event back in 2009 and has led the way as it has raised more than $2 million, said he feels “super blessed by the growth of the game and all that it’s turned into, forever inspired by every crop of kids that comes through each year.”

“It’s pretty incredible to think back on almost two decades of getting a chance to do this,” he said, “and getting to team up with so many wonderful people that literally work 12 months a year to pull off these two nights each June.”

The Roundball Classic will of course feature its “starting five” of primary beneficiaries: Peyton Dugan, 2, of Colwich; Ember Henry, 10, of Topeka; Romeo Padilla, 17, of Wichita; Zara Smith, 16, of Lansing; and Jude Vander Kelen, 15, of Winfield.

As usual, though, the game’s impact goes beyond those five. Any other kids that have received serious consideration get smaller checks at the game as “future stars” and are also considered for the event’s year-round “benevolence fund,” a new development over the last several years that spans the rest of the calendar.

The benevolence fund received a boost this past year, Hanni said, thanks to some anonymous donors at KU who took it to a new level.

“We were able to have 10 of those children in the future stars and benevolence fund portion of our organization get to come to Allen Fieldhouse, sit behind the bench, meet coach (Bill) Self and the players after the game and receive a $5,000 check,” he said.

While the June event remains the main focus, Hanni added, “what we’ve been able to expand upon with some of these other opportunities throughout the actual KU basketball season has been really exciting as well.”

Also present at the June game itself, beginning with last year’s edition, is the Yvonne Adams Legacy Fund, established in honor of the late mother of former KU basketball player KJ Adams. A creation of KU donors Kent and Missy McCarthy, last year it featured a donation to the family of a parent battling cancer.

“KJ’s involvement last year in interacting with the families that were chosen was one of the most touching parts of this Roundball process I’ve seen in almost 20 years of doing it,” Hanni said.

This year, the Yvonne Adams Legacy Fund will center on two primary beneficiaries and a runner-up. Both KJ and his father Kevin were involved in the selection process, and Kevin will serve as the representative on hand at Thursday’s game.

As for the game, the pool of participants is expected to include, in part, members of the 2008 and 2022 national title teams, such as Mario Chalmers, Sherron Collins, Sasha Kaun, Russell Robinson and Brandon Rush from 2008 and Ochai Agbaji, Christian Braun, Mitch Lightfoot, Chris Teahan and Jalen Wilson from 2022.

One new in-game wrinkle is a “money ball,” in partnership with the bank Capitol Federal, which will result in a “certain dollar amount donated and point amount on the scoreboard per 3 that’s going to make it really incentivized to chuck up a lot of 3s,” Hanni said.

Tickets for Thursday’s contest are available at 23rd Street Brewery in Lawrence and at Johnny’s Tavern locations in Olathe, Prairie Village, Topeka and Wichita.