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The Sports Xchange

OVERVIEW

Chalmers is a scrappy defender with the ability to play either guard position. He led the Big 12 Conference in steals during each of his three collegiate seasons. His 89 steals as a freshman broke a 26-year Kansas season record and ranks third in Big 12 Conference history for first-year players.

The three-time All-Big 12 Defensive Team choice also garnered the league's first Defensive Player of the Year Award as a sophomore. He steadily improved his shot selection each year with the Jayhawks, making 44.5 percent of his field goal attempts as a freshman, 49.1 percent as a sophomore and was the only KU backcourt player to hit on more than 50 percent of his shots in 2007-08 (52.1 percent ).

At Bartlett High School, Chalmers earned McDonald's and Parade All-American honors following his senior season in which he averaged 25.3 points per game, playing for a team that was coached by his father, Ronnie. He guided Bartlett High to state titles in 2002 and 2003 and runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2005. He added Alaska Class 4A Player of the Year honors three times, joining former Duke star Trajan Langdon as the only other player from the state to do so.

Chalmers led the state in three-point shooting his senior season and was an All-conference selection all four years. He averaged 23.2 points, 6.0 assists and 5.8 rebounds as a junior for the Golden Bears. His best game of his high school season was 46 points, 10 steals and eight assists. After his senior season, he took control in the second half of the McDonald's All-American game, where he scored 17 of his team-high 20 points.

In his first year at Kansas, Chalmers started 21 of the final 22 games and ranked second on the team in scoring at 11.5 points per game, including 14.3 in conference play. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Big 12 Championship, where he averaged 16 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in Kansas' title run.

The All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention was also on the conference's all-rookie and all-defensive teams. He won the team's Clyde Lovellette Most Improved Player Award and set school and league freshman records for steals in a season with 89 and was the first freshman to lead the conference in steals per game at 2.70 (14th nationally). He also averaged 11.5 points per game while handing out 127 assists to go with 74 rebounds.

As a sophomore, Chalmers was an All-Big 12 third-team choice, again leading the league with 97 steals, a school single-season record. He averaged 12.2 points per game while starting 37 of 38 games. He ranked 10th in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.36 per contest, (124 assists/91 turnovers), averaged 3.0 rebounds per game and blocked 16 shots.

Chalmers made the All-Big 12 second-team and was a member of the league's All-Defensive Team in 2007-08. He finished second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.8 points per game, along with an average of 3.1 rebounds. He finished second in the Big 12 with 169 assists and led the league again with 97 steals.

ANALYSIS

Positives: Has a lanky frame, but displays good height, adequate wingspan and room on his frame to carry more bulk without the added weight affecting his quickness…Team-first type of player who does not need to have the ball in his hands to be effective…Takes great pride in his defensive prowess and is unselfish to a fault distributing the ball to get a teammate to take a better shot…Comfortable operating in the team's half court attack, as he knows where he needs to be on the court and shows good positioning skills on help defense…Shows a smooth, effortless shooting stroke, as he demonstrates good balance and body control to put the ball on the floor for several dribbles…Possesses solid touch working off the rim and has the flexibility to shoot with either hand when working around the basket…Has the speed to handle and push the ball forward in transition…Pester-type of defender who does a very good job of anticipating the opponent's passes, using his length and timing effectively to alter those entry attempts (averaged 2.56 steals per game during his career) and despite giving up several inches, he is quite effective at contesting the shot of taller wing players (see 2007-08 Eastern Washington, DePaul, Baylor and Texas A&M games)…Has the quickness to mirror and stay in front of the perimeter shooters, using his wingspan and lateral agility to prevent his man from getting into the lanes…His reach and elevation have also helped him at altering and blocking the opponent's shot…Gets a lot of his steals coming in from the weak side, as he keeps his hands active (looks like a spider) and is a general nuisance in attempts to prevent the opponent from getting a clean release…Not really a true point guard, but shows good ball security, keeping his dribble close to his body and low to the ground… Unselfish player who likes to feed his teammates and while he still needs to improve his passing skills, he has continued to increase his assist totals (from 127 as a rookie to 166 last year)…Smart player who is quick to spot openings in the lane to drive to the basket and draw contact…Determined driving into the lane, but will not force his shot, especially when he sees an open teammate that he can kick it out to…Proficient long-range shooter with a high release point uncorking NBA caliber three-point attempts…Very effective setting his feet and executing a quick release…Has made steady strides in his shooting stroke, greatly improving his range and accuracy attempting field goals (from 44.5 percent as a freshman, to 49.1 percent as a sophomore and 52.1 percent as a junior)…While not the featured aspect of the offense, he does have good success in the transition game and demonstrates good movement skills finding space to execute a smooth spot-up jumper…When he sets his feet, he can fire the ball at will from the perimeter…Slippery getting open with the ball in his hands, doing a great job of making his shots coming off the dribble…Takes good angles to the basket and is effective at getting the defense to commit early with solid pump fakes…Good slasher coming out of cuts and does a nice job of fielding the ball and taking it to the basket on screens…His money shot is a quick right-handed floater.

Negatives: Is becoming more comfortable handling the ball, but still plays with more of a shooter's mentality than that of a point guard…Too small and lanky to play the two-spot, despite his good length, as he might not be able to withstand contact for long at the next level (needs to improve his overall strength base)…Needs to add more bulk, strength and explosiveness attacking the rim (perhaps due to his frame, he does not like driving inside much)…Unselfish moving the ball around, but needs to do it at a quicker pace (bit too deliberate with his passes)…Seems more comfortable when he does not have to log long minutes as a ball handler (prefers the two spot over the point), as he might be creative as a scorer, but has failed to show that feel and instinct you expect from a player than needs to set up the team's offense…Needs to play in control, as he gets too wild at times attacking the lanes on the way to the basket, running right into traffic and double teams…Has decent long-range shooting ability, but you would like to see him convert more of those attempts…Has good lateral agility, but when he takes a side, he struggles to recover in attempts to take the shooter off balance…Has adequate lateral quickness, but will bite on a player's moves (Texas' D.J. Augustin had Chalmers biting every time the Longhorn executed a hesitation move)…Has a good right-handed floater, but needs to show better confidence in his mid-range jump shot, as he prefers to operate mostly from the weak side, making him predictable (does not move as well going to his right)…Better shooter from the outside, as he gets bounced around and lacks ideal strength to take the ball off the dribble and simply drive to the basket…Must improve his change of direction agility, as he attempts too many off-balance shots trying to avoid the defender (other times, he will just bump into his man, resulting in a high amount of charges called on him).

Compares To: RAFER ALSTON-Houston…Chalmers is a shooting guard trapped in a point guard's body, but his ball handling skills could make him a liability with extended minutes at the point in the NBA. He is better suited as a reserve combo guard, as his defensive skills are the type that can come in and instantly disrupt the opposition's offense. He is effective getting the ball to open shooters in the passing lanes and when he properly sets his feet, he has NBA caliber long-range shooting skills. He gets in a lot of trouble (charges, traveling) when he tries to force his way on drives to the basket and lacks creativity with the ball in his hands. He is a marginal shooter on the move, losing the accuracy he shows when posting up, when he has to shoot coming off the dribble. With Brandon Rush gone and two quality point guards on the roster, Chalmers would have been better served bulking up, improving his overall strength and returning to school. He might never be starting material, but is a good soldier who knows his role with the team.

CAREER NOTES

Chalmers started 96 of 110 games, scoring 1,341 points (12.2 ppg), the 24th-best total on the school career record list…Made 444-of-914 field goals (48.6 percent ) and 273-of-356 free throws (76.7 percent )…His 180 three-pointers made rank sixth and his 430 three-point attempts (42.0 percent ) rank eighth in Kansas history…Ranks 12th in KU annals with 420 assists and blocked 44 shots…His 283 steals rank second on the school career record list behind Darnell Valentine (336, 1978-81)…Those 283 steals rank second in Big 12 Conference history, surpassed only by Cookie Belcher of Nebraska (353, 1997-2001)…Holds three of the school's top six spots on the single-season record list for steals (first with 97 in 2006-07; tied for first with 93 in 2007-08; sixth with 89 in 2005-06)…His 97 steals as a sophomore placed him third on the Big 12 single-season record list behind Belcher (102 in 1998-99) and Jamaal Tinsley of Iowa State (98 in 1999-2000)…His 89 steals in 2005-06 broke the league single-season record for a freshman, topping the previous mark of 87 by Belcher in 1996-97.

2007-08 SEASON

All-Big 12 Conference second-team and All-Big 12 Defensive Team (first) pick by the league's coaches…NABC All-District XII first-team choice…Named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, making the game-winning shot vs. Memphis that led KU to the national championship…Started 38 of 39 games at point guard, ranking second on the team in scoring with 498 points (12.8 ppg), shooting 51.6 percent from the field (164-of-318), 46.8 percent from three-point range (73-of-156) and 74.6 percent from the foul line (97-of-130)…Had 120 rebounds (3.1 rpg) and ranked second in the league with a career-high 169 assists (4.33 apg)…Led the conference for the third consecutive year with 97 steals, tying his own school single-season record from the previous season…Blocked 23 shots, but fouled out twice while being charged with 99 personal fouls and 75 turnovers…Scored in double figures in 31 contests.

2007-08 GAME ANALYSIS

Opened the season with six assists, three steals and eight points vs. Louisiana-Monroe…Added 23 points, making 6-of-9 three-pointers, as he added four steals and six assists vs. Missouri-Kansas City…Doled out seven assists with three steals and 14 points in the Arizona clash…Posted 20 points with seven boards and three thefts in the Southern California game…Pulled down nine rebounds while handing out seven assists with a season-high seven steals and 12 points vs. DePaul…Scored 14 points with six assists at Nebraska and put in 18 points with three steals and five boards vs. Missouri…Had 19 points vs. Kansas State and 16 points vs. Texas A&M in the Big 12 Tournament…Added a season-high 30 points, making 8-of-12 three-pointers, as he dished out six assists and had four boards with two steals vs. Texas in the Big 12 title game…Generated six assists and 16 points vs. Portland State and 17 points with two steals and four rebounds vs. Villanova in the NCAA Tournament…In the championship game, Chalmers scored 18 points, as he was credited with three rebounds, a trio of assists and four steals vs. Memphis.

2006-07 SEASON

All-Big 12 Conference first-team and league All-Defensive first-team choice…Named the conference's co-Defensive Player of the Year…Started 37 of 38 games, scoring 464 points (12.2 ppg), as he connected on 159-of-324 field goals (49.1 percent ), including 59-of-146 from three-point range (40.4 percent )…Made 87-of-113 free throws (77.0 percent )…Registered 115 rebounds (3.0 rpg), as he blocked 16 shots and came up with 124 assists…Led the Big 12 with 97 steals, setting a school single-season record…Fouled out of three games, as he had 91 turnovers and 95 personal fouls…Led Kansas in scoring 12 times and in steals on 20 occasions…Was 10th in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.36 per contest.

2006-07 GAME ANALYSIS

Had 27 multi-steal games, including a career-best-tying six three times vs. Southern California, Oklahoma State and UCLA in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight ... Produced four 20-point games - 22 vs. Boston College, 22 vs. Detroit, 21 vs. Colorado and 21 vs. Texas… Made multiple treys 18 times, including a 5-for-5 effort vs. Texas in the regular-season finale ... Led KU in assists in 10 outings, including a career-high-tying eight twice - vs. Winston-Salem State and vs. Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament second round ... Made a season-high 10 free throws vs. Oklahoma ... Was named to the Las Vegas Invitational All-Tournament team after averaging 13 points in victories vs. Ball State and Florida ... Made clutch shots, including the game-tying three, in scoring 17 points in KU's overtime win vs. Texas in the Big 12 Championship.

2005-06 SEASON

All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention from the league's coaches, adding third-team accolades from the Associated Press…Member of the league's All-Rookie Team and Big 12 All-Defensive Team ... Named the Big 12 Championship Most Outstanding Player ... Chosen Rivals.com Freshman of the Week (March 13) and Big 12 Player of the Week (Feb. 13) ... Was also selected CBS SportsLine Freshman of the Week (Jan. 30) ... Won the team's Dutch Lonborg Free Throw Percentage Award and Clyde Lovellette Most Improved Player Award (co-with Julian Wright)…Started 21 of 33 games, scoring 379 points (11.5 ppg) on 121-of-272 field goals (44.5 percent ), 48-of-128 three-pointers (37.5 percent ) and 89-of-113 free throws (78.8 percent )…Set the league single-season record for freshmen with 89 steals… Handed out 127 assists, blocked five shots and pulled down 74 rebounds (2.2 rpg).

INJURY REPORT

No injuries reported.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Bartlett (Anchorage, Ak.) High School, playing basketball for his father, head coach Ronnie Chalmers…Earned McDonald's and Parade All-American honors following his senior season…Averaged 25.3 points per game as a senior…Guided the team to state titles in 2002 and 2003 and runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2005…Added Alaska Class 4A Player of the Year honors three times, joining former Duke star Trajan Langdon as the only other player from the state to do so…Led the state in three-point shooting his senior season and was an All-conference selection all four years…Averaged 23.2 points, 6.0 assists and 5.8 rebounds as a junior for the Golden Bears…His best game of his high school season was 46 points, 10 steals and eight assists…After his senior season, he took control in the second half of the McDonald's All-American game, where he scored 17 of his team-high 20 points.

PERSONAL

General Studies major…Son of Ronnie and Almarie Chalmers ... His father served as his head coach at Bartlett High and was named Kansas Director of Basketball Operations in the summer of 2005 ... Cousin, Lionel Chalmers, led Xavier in scoring in 2003-04 with 16.6 ppg and currently plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves ... Cousin, Chris Smith, played in the NBA for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1992-95…Born Almario Vernard Chalmers on 5/19/86 in Anchorage, Alaska.