Mario Chalmers

Two-time NBA champion and 2008 NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player.

Almario "Mario" Vernard Chalmers (born May 19, 1986) is an American former professional basketball player. He was selected as the 34th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves after playing three seasons of college basketball for the University of Kansas. Chalmers was named the 2006–07 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player of the 2008 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament after winning the 2008 NCAA championship.

In the NBA, he was the starting point guard for two championship-winning teams with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013. Chalmers is the only Alaskan to win a championship in the high school, college, and pro levels. After seven seasons with the Heat he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in November 2015 and waived in March 2016 due to injury. After missing a season due to injury he returned with the team in the 2017 offseason before going overseas and G-League in 2018.

Quick Facts

Position: Point guard
Born: 19 May 1986
Birthplace: Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
High school: Bartlett (Anchorage, Alaska)
College: Kansas (2005–2008)
Draft pick: 34
Drafted by: Minnesota Timberwolves

Lore & Background

Chalmers attended Bartlett High School in Anchorage, Alaska, where he was named the 4A State Player of the Year three times in a row, joining Trajan Langdon as the only other player to receive such acclaim. Chalmers led his high school team to two state championships in 2002 and 2003, and a runner-up finish in 2004. As a senior in 2004–05, he was named a McDonald's All-American as well as a third-team Parade All-American. Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Chalmers was listed as the No. 2 point guard and the No. 12 player in the nation in 2005.

He considered Arizona, North Carolina, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech before finally committing to the University of Kansas on May 21, 2004. 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 his freshman year averaging 11.5 points per game, which was second highest on the team. He became the second freshman in Big 12 history to win Conference Player of the Week honors and was named National Freshman of the Week twice.

He also set the KU and Big 12 Conference record for most steals in a season by a freshman with 89. Chalmers was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team, Big 12 All-Defensive Team, All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (Coaches), Third-Team All-Big-12 (AP), Big 12 All-Tournament Team and the Big 12 Tournament MVP after helping Kansas win the Big 12 tournament. In 33 games, he also averaged 2.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game. Chalmers was second on the team in scoring with 12.3 points per game as a sophomore, recording four 20-point games during the 2006–07 season.

In the Big 12 Coaches Awards, Chalmers was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year with Marcus Dove of Oklahoma State. He also earned third-team All-Big 12 and All-Big 12 Defensive Team honors. His season total of 97 steals put him in first place in Kansas basketball history for steals in a single season. Chalmers averaged 12.8 points per game during his junior year.

He also led the team with 4.3 assists per game, 46.8% three-point shooting accuracy, and 97 steals. His 97 steals tied the school's single season record, a record that he set as a sophomore. He scored 30 points in Kansas' win in the Big 12 Conference tournament title game against Texas.

Reader's Guide

Chalmers was drafted with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2008 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The rights to Chalmers were later included in a trade with the Miami Heat. The Heat signed him on July 8. He started all 82 regular season games his rookie year and finished the season averaging 10 points, 4.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 32 minutes per game.

His two steals per game ranked number one among all rookies and the fourth highest among all players. On November 5, 2008, in just his fourth NBA game, Chalmers set a franchise record for steals in a game with nine. After having not missed a game up until the January 30 game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Chalmers missed his first game in his two-year career. The next day, he was ruled out indefinitely with a torn ligament in his left thumb.

Chalmers returned to action on February 19 against the Memphis Grizzlies and played out the remainder of the season and the playoffs. Upon the Heat's acquisition of LeBron James in July 2010, Chalmers handed over No. 6 to James after wearing it during his first two NBA seasons, and changed to his collegiate number of 15. In Game 5 of the 2011 NBA Finals, Chalmers made a half-court shot at the buzzer of the first quarter to give the Heat a 31–30 lead.

However, the Heat went on to lose the game to the Dallas Mavericks 112–103 and trailed in the series 2–3. Chalmers had 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. In Game 6, the Heat fell to the Mavericks, as they lost the series 4–2. On June 15, 2011, the Heat extended a qualifying offer to Chalmers, making him a restricted free agent in the offseason.

On December 9, 2011, Chalmers re-signed with the Heat on a three-year, $12 million contract. On February 15, 2012, Chalmers was named a participant in the 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend Three-Point Shootout. He was eliminated in the first round. Chalmers was highly praised for his 25-point performance in Game 4 of the 2012 NBA Finals.

He scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to help the Heat win the game. In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Chalmers recorded 10 points, seven assists, and two rebounds in 34 minutes of action as he helped the Heat win the 2012 NBA championship. It was Chalmers' first NBA title. On January 12, 2013, Chalmers scored a career-high 34 points against the Sacramento Kings, making 10 three-pointers.