Kansas basketball: Keith Langford balls out at 15th annual Roundball Classic
By Dillon Davis
In front of a gymnasium full of Kansas fans eager to see their favorite former players, Keith Langford proved he still belongs in the conversation of all-time Jayhawk greats.
The former guard – and 8th leading scorer in KU history – lit up the stat sheet at this year’s 15th annual Rock Chalk Roundball Classic as he poured in a team-leading 30 points for the Red squad, who would end up victorious in a nail-biter finish 105-104 over the Blue team
At 39 years old and officially retired after one of the most successful international careers in EuroLeague history, Langford was one of the oldest players on the court, but he certainly didn’t look like it.
Half of Langford’s 30 points came from behind the arc, and that left-handed stroke is still a thing of beauty. Even more impressive is the fact that this was just his first competitive game of basketball since his Achilles surgery in May 2022.
“I knew I was going to shoot, that’s it,” Langford told the Kansas City Star in a post-game interview. “That’s been my philosophy. I know I’m going to shoot. Everything else, I let the results take care of themselves.”
Langford’s Red team beat the Blue team after head coach Calvin “Pony” Thompson beat opposing head coach Greg Ostertag in a free throw shootout to break a 104-104 tie at the end of regulation.
After the scrimmage, Langford expressed his gratitude for being able to play the game and do so in front of the Kansas faithful.
“I just miss it, man — playing basketball, and the fact that I got to do it here, just getting to feel this energy and this vibe one more time, I don’t know how many more times I’m gonna be able to get out here and play,” he told the Lawrence Journal-World. “I’m 39 years old. This is priceless, you know what I mean?”
Langford plans to end his official playing career representing the Kansas Jayhawks one more time as a member of Mass Street (Kansas Alumni) in The Basketball Tournament, which starts July 19 in Wichita, Kansas.
About the Roundball Classic
The Rock Chalk Roundball Classic is an annual event put on by “Voice of the Jayhawks” Brian Hanni.
Typically hosted at Lawrence Free State High School, the event is put together to help raise money for a group of local kids battling cancer and their families. A new group of kids and families are selected each year as recipients of the Roundball Classic.
The basketball scrimmage is the first of a weekend-long group of events in Lawrence to help raise donations for the families.
The kids are introduced as the “Starting Five” before the scrimmage, and then after the game fans are able to get autographs from some of their favorite players. There are several auction items to bid on and raffle tickets to purchase to help raise money as well.
One of the weekend events includes a gala dinner with auction items, photo opportunities, celebrity guests and more. There is also an annual bowling competition where participants are paired with former KU stars as they help raise money for the beneficiaries.
The event has raised more than $1 million in its 15-year history for children and families battling cancer.
And speaking from personal experience as someone who has attended each of the scrimmages the past four years, this writer can unequivocally say that this event is a rewarding one for all the beneficiaries and their families, the volunteers, players, and fans involved.
In addition to the in-person events, fans can help donate to the families online by visiting the Roundball Classic website.