Sixers 2008 Draft Center

Draft Prospect: Mario Chalmers

2007-08 Stats

Career

Most people remember Mario Chalmers as the Jayhawk who hit the three-pointer as time expired to send this year’s National Championship game into overtime, which Kansas ultimately won over Memphis. But most people don’t know that during his three years at Kansas, Chalmers established himself as one of the best lock-down defenders in college basketball.

Chalmers was a two-year starter who broke a 26-year-old KU record by recording 97 steals in 2006-07. He followed that up by swiping another 97 this season to tie his own record. Chalmers stands second all-time on the KU career steals list behind Darnell Valentine.

Chalmers finished as Kansas’ second-leading scorer (12.8 ppg), and led the Jayhawks in three-point percentage (.468), minutes played (30.0 mpg), and assists (4.3 apg) this season.

Awards

2007-08: Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Big 12 Championship All- Tournament Team, All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 All-Defensive Team (coaches), Big 12 All-Defense Team (media)

Summer 2007: Team USA Pan Am trials.

2006-07: Co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, All-Big 12 Third Team by Big 12, All-Big 12 Honorable Mention by AP, All-Big 12 Defensive Team, AP Big 12 All-Defense Team

2005-06: All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, Big 12 All-Rookie Team, Big 12 All-Defensive Team, AP All-Big 12 Third Team, Big 12 Championship Most Outstanding Player, Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team

Strengths

The complete package. Chalmers is a sweet-shooting point guard who knows how to run a team and plays excellent defense. Picks up a lot of steals. Very efficient. A clutch shooter. Fearless. (ESPN.com)

Chalmers has made notable strides in his game in every season he’s been at KU so far, which is exactly what you want to see from a former McDonald’s All-American. His shooting percentages are way up (an incredibly impressive 52% from the field and 48% for 3), as are his assists, while his turnovers are down. Chalmers’ role in KU’s offense has decreased this season (most of his offense comes from spot-up and transition situations), but he’s become a much more efficient player, which is clearly a testament to his willingness to set aside his ego and stick strictly to what he’s best at for the betterment of his team. For someone who projects as a role player and likely backup at the next level, that’s a very encouraging sign. (DraftExpress.com)

This feature is intended for reference only and in no way reflects the ideas or opinions of the Sixers players, coaching staff, scouts or front office.