There were 400 young campers on one side and 400 U. Kansas students, alumni and basketball fans on the other. Thursday, June 17. The stadium inside the Horejsi Center on was alive with anticipation as spectators waited to see which basketball alumni would be making an appearance. Coach Bill Self teased the audience with an anecdote about players who had an “it” moment — including one of the University’s own — and with that, the 800 fans started chanting his name.

“Mar-i-o!” “Mar-i-o!” “Mario!” “Mario!”

They applauded, cheered and smiled with pride at the man who helped their dreams come true with his “it” moment in 2008 — a 3-point shot that sent the championship game into overtime. Chalmers waved to the crowd with a smile across his face.

Bill Self’s basketball camp was a two-week long camp for young Lawrence children to practice their skills. On both Wednesdays of the week, KU basketball alumni challenged current KU players in a game that ended when one of the teams reached 65 points.

Alumni were in crimson pennies and current players wore blue pennies, racing from one side of the court to the other in a whirl of Jayhawk colors. Their sneakers against the court were barely noticeable amidst the campers’ screaming and chanting of Mario’s name through much of the first half.

“It’s good for the campers,” Chalmers, standing next to a mural of himself shooting the 3-pointer against Memphis, said. He said that he didn’t feel it was any different playing now than before.

Andrew Wingreen, a basketball coach at the camp, said the kids didn’t know who would show up to play at the game.

“I definitely think that it’s something that they can come to and enjoy,” said Wingreen, who also works for Wayne Simien’s Call to Greatness ministry and basketball camp. “They like seeing the players, you know, especially the alumni.”

The current players beat the alumni 45-65. Chalmers scored 15 points and Keith Langford scored 9. Current Jayhawks Marcus Morris and Conner Teahan each scored 11 points.