Scott McClurg/Journal-World PhotoMichael Lee pushed a shopping cart through the women’s clothing section of Wal-Mart on Thursday night, his next destination the toy department.
“Luck of the draw … I’ve got a family full of girls,” said Lee, Kansas University’s senior basketball guard from Portland, Ore.
Lee’s mission: purchase several hundred dollars’ worth of Christmas gifts for a needy family as part of the KU Basketball Santa’s Helpers drive in conjunction with the Salvation Army.
“I picked out some sweaters, some tops. I’m staying away from pink. Every little girl gets too much pink at Christmas. I’m going for neutral colors,” Lee said.
He and his 16 KU teammates were in great spirits late Thursday night, hustling through Wal-Mart while shopping for 17 families.
Scott McClurg/Journal-World PhotoThe Jayhawks were using money provided by the local Roundball Club and anonymous donors. Sport2Sport’s Roger Morningstar oversees the project.
“To be in position to help … it’s your duty whenever you can,” KU sophomore Nick Bahe said while checking out CDs before picking out “Blue’s Clues” tapes for a 2-year-old child. “This is my favorite thing we get to do as a team, taking part in the season of giving.”
Bahe watched fellow sophomore Jeremy Case struggle to select rap tunes for a 16-year-old girl.
“Sixteen is an age you really don’t know what you want,” Bahe theorized as Case eyed several possible purchases.
Content to rummage through the toy department, freshman Alex Galindo asked a passerby for help.
Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo“I need to find a push toy,” Galindo said.
Fellow freshman Sasha Kaun, who had just a candle in his possession as he hit the toy department at 9:20 p.m., told an onlooker, “I need to find somebody who works here,” then, after receiving consultation, parked himself amid an aisle of dolls.
Senior Aaron Miles, who shopped alone, strolled at a relaxed pace wondering aloud, “Know where the pots and pans are?”
He later was spotted considering which off-road truck to buy.
Junior Jeff Hawkins was the first player to complete his shopping.
Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo“It’s always good to give back to the less fortunate,” Hawkins said. “I had a mom who wanted bath towels, clothes, a bath robe. I’m very happy to help out. It’s something we look forward to doing as a team.”
KU coach Bill Self spoke Thursday at a luncheon in Wichita, prepared his team for Saturday’s 7 p.m. home game against South Carolina, then headed out to Wal-Mart. He said he was pleased the program took part in such a worthwhile endeavor.
“This is something our guys, the veteran guys really look forward to,” Self said. “They take a lot of pride in budgeting and trying to fill the needs and wants of the different individuals they are in charge of.
“I think it’s great. I think the guys feel good about themselves, getting out and doing this. This year, roundball and the generosity of a couple anonymous people … we’ve gotten the figure to the point to hopefully make for a special Christmas for a lot of people.”
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Gamecocks invade Saturday: South Carolina’s basketball team will take a 5-1 record into Saturday’s 7 p.m. nonconference clash at 6-0 Kansas.
The Gamecocks, who have beaten Western Carolina, Winthrop, Temple, Appalachian State and South Florida and lost to Clemson in overtime, are hitting 47.4 percent of their floor shots but just 59.2 percent (74-of-125) of their free throws.
USC hit 12 of 25 free throws in a 63-62 overtime loss to Clemson on Dec. 4 before a sellout crowd (17,828) at USC’s Colonial Center.
“Putrid. Put blinders on and you may be able to do better,” South Carolina coach Dave Odom told Columbia’s “The State” newspaper. “Right now I’m not sure our team is mentally as tough as we need to be.”
Unranked South Carolina made 14 of 23 charities in its last game — a 72-70 home win over South Florida played before just 6,907 fans on Tuesday night.
The No. 2-ranked Jayhawks have hit 63 percent of their free throws and 51.9 percent of their floor shots.
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Jersey retirement coming: Former KU great Walt Wesley, who lives in Ft. Myers, Fla., will have his jersey No. 13 hung in the rafters in halftime ceremonies Saturday. He’ll be joined at the game by his former coach, Ted Owens, and starters from KU’s 1965-66 Big Eight champs — Riney Lochmann, Del Lewis, Al Lopes and Ron Franz. Jo Jo White came aboard at semester break and helped the team to the NCAA regional finals.
6Sports video: KU struggles with free throws
KU basketball players enjoy charity gift-buying excursion
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