Mario Chalmers
| Mario Chalmers | |
|---|---|
| College | Kansas |
| Conference | Big 12 |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Position | Point guard |
| Class | Junior |
| Career | 2005–present |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Nationality | USA |
| Born | May 19, 1986 Anchorage, Alaska |
| High school | Bartlett High School |
Almario Vernard "Mario" Chalmers[1] (born May 19, 1986 in Anchorage, Alaska)[2] nicknamed Super Mario, is a guard for the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team. After becoming a starter in January 2006, Chalmers has posted several dominant performances, regularly being the lead scorer for the Jayhawks, and one of the reasons Kansas has been continuously ranked since the beginning of the 2006-07 NCAA basketball season.
In the 2006 Big 12 Coaches Awards, Mario Chalmers was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year with Marcus Dove of Oklahoma State. Chalmers was also voted on the All Big 12 Third Team, and the All Big 12 Defensive Team. Mario is the cousin of former Los Angeles Clipper guard and Xavier standout Lionel Chalmers, who hails from Albany, NY.
High school
Chalmers attended Bartlett High School in Anchorage, Alaska. Chalmers was named 4A state player of the year three times in a row. Joining Trajan Langdon as the only other player to do so. Chalmers also led his school to two state championships in 2002. 2003, and two runner up finishes in 2004, 2005. Chalmers' team was coached by Ronnie Chalmers, Mario's father.
College
Mario was rated the #1 overall point guard in the 2005 recruiting class. Chalmers' choices were narrowed from Arizona to Kansas, before finally committing to KU on May 20, 2005.
Freshman year
Chalmers began his college career on the bench behind guard Jeff Hawkins, but worked his way into the starting rotation in January 2006. He finished the season starting 21 of the final 22 games (missing only senior night). He finished his freshman year at 11.5 points per game, second on the team. His 15 points against Bradley in the NCAA tournament totaled four straight 15 point games. He became 2nd freshman in Big 12 History to win Conference Player of the Weeks honors and was named National Freshman of the Week twice. He also set the KU and Big 12 record for most steals in a season by a freshman with 89. Chalmers won KU's Clyde Lovellette Most Improved Player Award (co- with Julian Wright), and the Dutch Lonborg Free Throw Percentage Award (78.8%).
Sophomore year
Chalmers was second in the team in scoring at 12.3 points per game, recording four 20 point games during the 06-07 season. In the Big 12 Coaches Awards, Mario Chalmers was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year with Marcus Dove of Oklahoma State. Chalmers was also voted on the All Big 12 Third Team, and the All Big 12 Defensive Team.
Junior year
Chalmers is currently averaging 12 points per game, 4.7 assists per game, and 2.4 steals per game for the #5 Kansas Jayhawks.