Over the years, there have been all kinds of memorable moments at all kinds of late nights, but few like Friday night at Allen Fieldhouse.
The teams scrimmaged, the fans cheered, and the atmosphere was wild and crazy—a fitting tip-off party for the season.
But at 8:10pm, came the moment everyone at Late Night in the Fog had been waiting for. The new National Championship banner has officially been lifted inside the Allen Fieldhouse. It was technically his third banner published Friday night. They also sent out another Big 12 title banner and a 2022 Final Four banner.
But what everyone wanted to see — white and blue letters nine feet wide and thirteen feet high — was discovered in the north rafters above the student section, to applause and great emotion from the crowd. was wrapped in
Photo gallery
Check out the image gallery from the 38th Annual Late Night in the Fog at Allen Fieldhouse.
Former Jayhawk Mitch Lightfoot said after collecting the championship rings after watching the banner fall, “You came here to do it and you could actually see it happen. was very special.
Commenting on the banner unveiling, KU coach Bill Self added: Many programs have had success, winning one (the national title) was something special, but in every referral in the last 12 or 13 years, Mario (Chalmers) has made that shot It’s nice to have that shot in the introductory video, but it doesn’t wrap it up.
Lightfoot is one of four former players to return for the night: Jalen Coleman-Lands, Chris Teahan and Remy Martin. Also, Christian Braun, Ochai Agbaji, and David McCormack sent videos to play on the video board. They were joined by several members of the 2008 National Title Team in a joint ceremony on the court to honor KU’s two most recent National Championship Teams.
“It’s unreal,” said Lightfoot. “And the brotherhood that they have that I’m friends with is kind of crazy. Considering how far I’ve come in my basketball journey, it’s very special and something I’ll never forget.”
After a countdown clock featuring images from last season reached zero on the video board, the event officially kicked off when Lightfoot and Teahan took to the stage to welcome the crowd to Late Night.
It was midway through the event when University of Kansas coach Bill Self first appeared, but he clearly explained what the night was about.
“Before we turn the page (to another season), let’s celebrate the start of the season. Honor those who came here before us and have a good time,” Self said. “And I hope Shaq puts on a great show.”
About 90 minutes later, Shaquille O’Neal, aka DJ Diesel, did just that, kicking off a properly 45-minute set with a segment of “We Are The Champions” before locking down the arena to cap off the night. rice field.
Before the banner and ring ceremony, the KU women’s and men’s teams were introduced to the audience at intervals of approximately one hour, followed by fireworks and a grand introduction on stage. Many women came out with their national flags. In addition to his 11 players returning from his NCAA Tournament his team last year, Brandon Schneider’s squad includes his six international players.
Entering his eighth season with KU, Schneider spoke to the crowd wearing Ronnie Phelps’ #47 KU football jersey. On stage, Schneider set his team’s goals high for 2022-23 before scrimmage.
“They are climbers,” he said. “And they’re going to do big things this season. They’ll be in the top 20. They’ll be fighting for the Big 12 title. And this year, in March, they’ll be ready to rock the NCAA Tournament. there will be.”
Sanna Strom (7 points), Holly Kersgieter (6 points), Zakiyah Franklin and Chandler Prater (5 points each) lead the White team past the Blue team in the women’s scrimmage. Mia Vuksic scored her eight points in a 27-14 loss to lead her team to the Blues.
The men’s team made their first statement at 6:51pm, and their first official action as defending champions was an intense match between Simon Says and one of the two event organizers . After eliminating half of the team, the organizers called on Jalen Wilson, Bobby Pettiford, Joe Yesuf, Kyle Cuff Jr., KJ Adams, and KJ Adams on a night dedicated to celebrating the team’s recent national championship. Michael Jankovic, crowned freshman walk-on Wilder Evers as World Champion. .
That paved the way for self introductions, scrimmages, and statements that declared Lawrence, Kansas as “the place to be.”
Self’s longer-than-usual speech paid tribute to the event and the start of the 2022-23 season. issued.
The first student, Prairie Village sophomore Emma Ryan, picked Mario Chalmers to shoot. After two warm-ups with his tries and his one mulligan, his Chalmers, the hero of his 2008 title game, hit his fourth shot and sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Next, KU Jr. Yalone Woodruff of Henderson, Kentucky decided to shoot himself. On the third try he punctured. One of them sent both the current Jayhawks and the crowd into a frenzy, as they rushed to celebrate him.
It’s the mountains of events and memories like that and guys like Shaq rocking that crowd that make each Late Night in the Fog unique.
Of course, scrims are also fun. In the men’s game, redshirt junior Jaren Wilson made the entire game without attempting his three-point shot, with 4.6 seconds remaining, including the match-winner, and in his last minute he scored 4.6 seconds. I sank two shots.
“I think it ended exactly the way it should have been,” Self said. “Last late he’s a knight and lets the best repeaters shoot.”
With that shot, the white team beats the blue team 32-31. Wilson led the white team with his 8 points, KJ Adams Jr. added his 7 points and Dajuan Harris and Ernest Udeh Jr. each added his 6 points.
Senior walk-on Michael Jankovic led the blue team with nine points on a 3-for-3 shot from 3-point range, while Kam Martin and Zby Ejiofor also added six points each.
Freshman Grady Dick and transfer to Texas Tech University The blue team, which also included Kevin McCuller Jr., led 22–15 at one point, but four assists from Harris and second half heroism from Wilson WHITE team wins.
We look forward to seeing you here. I miss you all,” Wilson told the crowd at the end of the players portion of the night. This is impossible.The season always has its ups and downs, but it’s you who are always up.You will support us no matter what.We are all winners and champions. “This is bigger than us. Thank you. We love you all.”
