Tag Archives: kansas

KU Cancer Center to receive research support from agreement leveraging KU Basketball student-athletes, ShotTracker and the V Foundation

While Kansas is known for many basketball legends, the sport will be a community builder like never before at the University of Kansas this fall. Before a single game tips, Jayhawks will be playing for a new cause — cancer research.


The University of Kansas Cancer Center is poised to be part of a unique Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal that will benefit cancer research and engage KU basketball student-athletes. Seven KU Men’s and Women’s basketball players will serve as brand ambassadors and engage in a fundraising campaign to fight cancer. Made possible by Kansas City-area company ShotTracker and The V Foundation for Cancer Research, this novel agreement and accompanying campaign launch this week.


“We’re incredibly thankful to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, ShotTracker and KU Athletics for coming together in support of this campaign,” said Dr. Roy Jensen, Vice Chancellor and Director of the KU Cancer Center. “Their generosity and shared belief in the power of cancer research make a real difference. Funding like this fuels the work our scientists do every day and brings us closer to better treatments, earlier detection and, ultimately, cures.”


The seven KU Men’s and Women’s Basketball student-athletes participating are Flory Bidunga, Elle Evans, Elmarko Jackson, Jamari McDowell, Lilly Meister, S’Mya Nichols and Regan Williams. The campaign, known as ’Jayhawks Victory Over Cancer’ runs through December 31.  All of the funds raised will go directly to the KU Cancer Center to support research via a grant from The V Foundation for Cancer Research.


The student-athletes will be featured on a variety of channels highlighting their dedication to basketball and to cancer research, all while encouraging donations to the KU Cancer Center through the V Foundation. KU basketball players will use ShotTracker technology to showcase their dedication on the court while inspiring donations that fund lifesaving cancer research.


“In the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in intercollegiate athletics, one important element often overshadowed by headlines about large payments is that many NIL efforts support meaningful causes and nonprofits student-athletes are passionate about,” said Davyeon Ross, co-founder and chief executive officer of ShotTracker. “’Jayhawks Victory Over Cancer’ is a powerful example. We’re proud to partner with The University of Kansas Cancer Center, the V Foundation and KU Athletics to create impact through this unique ‘NIL for Good’ program. The return on investment goes far beyond money. It’s about improving the lives of hundreds of cancer patients, setting a new national standard for what NIL can achieve across the country and leveraging innovative technology to drive accountability.”

While soliciting funds for philanthropy is not a new idea, this campaign is harnessing the power of an NIL deal to support cancer research. The idea is that Jayhawk fans everywhere will learn more about the importance of cancer research and support that cause. 

“This campaign brings together our athletes, fans, donors and partners — the V Foundation, ShotTracker and Kansas Athletics — for a common cause: advancing cancer research at The University of Kansas Cancer Center,” said Dan Martin, President, KU Endowment. “It’s a powerful example of what we can achieve when we unite through philanthropy.”

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, in operation since 1993, is named for Jim Valvano, the legendary North Carolina State University men’s basketball coach, ESPN commentator and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The V Foundation has funded nearly $400 million in game-changing cancer research grants in North America through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory committee. 

“This is a powerful collaboration, and the V Foundation is proud to partner with the University of Kansas Athletics, ShotTracker, and the KU Cancer Center,” said Susanna Greer, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of the V Foundation. “The V Foundation funds bold, innovative cancer research at the top research centers nationwide to make a long-lasting impact. When Jayhawk athletes and fans unite, they are empowering the best and brightest scientists at the KU Cancer Center. Their support is critical to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® by driving discoveries, improving care and ultimately saving lives.”

A nationally recognized leader in the fight to treat and cure cancer, the KU Cancer Center is working to bring elite cancer research and care to Kansas. “Our vision is for The University of Kansas Cancer Center to be a beacon of hope and a global destination for both those with cancer and for scientists and clinicians seeking to cure cancer,” said Dr. Jensen. “Patients treated at National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers have a 25% greater chance of survival compared to other cancer centers because of the enhanced relationship between patient care and research. Supporting the work here will benefit not just Kansas but the entire region.”

“We are proud to be a part of this amazing initiative to help the fight against cancer by joining our great partners including ShotTracker, the KU Cancer Center and the V Foundation,” said Jason Booker, Deputy Athletics Director for the University of Kansas Athletics. “This initiative is in direct alignment with one of our core community engagement pillars through ’Jayhawks for A Cure‘ related to cancer awareness.  It’s a perfect fit to use our platforms to showcase the impact that the KU Cancer Center has on our region.”

Donations may be made to: www.v.org/jayhawksvictoryovercancer

ShotTracker, FanThreeSixty Launch New Strategic Partnership

ShotTracker, the revolutionary AI-powered sports analytics platform transforming how teams capture and visualize performance data, today announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership with FanThreeSixty, the comprehensive fan engagement platform trusted by elite organizations nationwide. This powerful integration will embed ShotTracker real-time analytics and AI-driven visualizations directly into FanThreeSixty’s robust fan engagement platform, creating an unprecedented immersive experience for teams, broadcasters and fans alike.

The partnership, which began with the highly successful implementation of ShotTracker’s dynamic data graphics for Kansas basketball, will be available to all FanThreeSixty customers going forward. After a successful pilot with KU’s men’s and women’s basketball programs during the 2024 season, through the Kansas Jayhawks app, a comprehensive rollout is expected for the 2025/2026 season, allowing fans access to the same elite-level analytics used by coaches on the sidelines.

“This expanded partnership with FanThreeSixty represents a pivotal moment in sports technology integration,” said Davyeon Ross, Co-Founder and President of ShotTracker. This collaboration revolutionizes how fans experience and understand the game. The successful pilot with Kansas basketball demonstrated the tremendous appetite for this depth of insight and we’re thrilled about the potential to jointly market our collaborative capabilities and to scale this innovation across all sports and venues.”


“We believe the future of sports lies in making every moment more meaningful—for fans, for teams, and for our partners. By integrating ShotTracker’s real-time data and insights into our fan engagement portfolio, we’re not just enhancing the fan experience—we’re redefining it. This partnership unlocks a new era of storytelling where stats come to life, creating deeper connections and smarter engagement at every touchpoint.”  Dison Martin, Director of Product Strategy, FanThreeSixty.

The first implementation of the partnership made ShotTracker visuals available in the newly launched Kansas Jayhawks app and on new video boards installed inside Allen Fieldhouse. Early views incorporated shot charts created from ShotTracker data including shooting percentages and shot location of the full team and individuals, shown real-time with game specific data, which was native in the mobile app.

 “Our partnership with ShotTracker and FanThreeSixty has allowed us to amplify the fan experience, both in-venue and within the app through real-time enhanced stats and analytics for both the team and individual players. We are excited to expand offerings to our fans in the future to continue to grow the ability to take fans deeper into the game.” Drew Gaschler, Associate Athletics Director of Marketing and Fan Experience, Kansas Athletics.

This news follows ShotTracker’s continued growth in 2025. That includes enhanced work with the 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships and one of the largest expansions in recent company history.  That expansion brings the number of ShotTracker partner schools to over fifty, with more coming later this year.