At the heart of the new DeBruce Center on the University of Kansas campus lies the heart of the game this school loves.
James Naismith's Original Rules of Basketball were unveiled this weekend.
"It's awesome. And to hear the story behind it definitely gives you some cool background on everything," said KU basketball player Landen Lucas, who brought his family to see the rules.
Shrouded by protective glass in a highly secure case that maintains its own environmental levels are the 13 rules Naismith wrote in 1892.
The subject of an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, the rules were bought at auction in 2010 by KU alum David Booth for $4.3 million. The school then raised $22 million to build the DeBruce Center, which is attached to Allen Fieldhouse.
"It of course has to be a shrine for the rules, it also has to serve as a gathering space for our campus community, for our students, for our faculty and staff and visitors to KU," said Curtis Marsh, director of the DeBruce Center.
With Naismith not only the founder of basketball, but also the founder of KU's program, most feel the rules are finally right where they belong.
"To think that we're playing a game just feet away from where the original rules are. It's a definitely an honor to be a part of something that big in the sport," said Lucas.
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Justin Wilfon can be reached at justin.wilfon@kshb.com.
