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Frank Mason III

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Frank Mason III
Mason with the Sacramento Kings in 2018
Free agent
PositionPoint guard
Personal information
Born (1994-04-03) April 3, 1994 (age 30)
Petersburg, Virginia, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeKansas (2013–2017)
NBA draft2017: 2nd round, 34th overall pick
Selected by the Sacramento Kings
Playing career2017–present
Career history
2017–2019Sacramento Kings
2019–2020Milwaukee Bucks
2019–2020→Wisconsin Herd
2021Orlando Magic
2021–2022South Bay Lakers
2022Wisconsin Herd
2023–2024SLUC Nancy Basket
2024Fujian Sturgeons
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
Summer Universiade
Gold medal – first place 2015 Gwangju Team competition
FIBA AmeriCup
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Brazil

Frank Leo Mason III (born April 3, 1994) is an American professional basketball player who last played for Fujian Sturgeons of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played college basketball for the University of Kansas, where he was the starting point guard for the Jayhawks. For the 2016–17 season, he was the consensus National Player of the Year [1][2] He was also a consensus All-American selection for his senior season at Kansas.[3]

Mason was selected 34th overall in the 2017 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings, where he spent two seasons before signing with the Milwaukee Bucks as a free agent in July 2019. He signed with the Orlando Magic in February 2021.

Early life

Mason grew up in Petersburg, Virginia and went to Petersburg High School. He scored 1,901 points in his four-year career at Petersburg, which is the second-highest scoring total in school history behind Hall of Famer Moses Malone.[4]

Mason had originally signed to attend Towson University in Towson, Maryland during his senior year, but he lost his eligibility after failing a government class.[5] Mason attended Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Virginia to make up for the failing grade in government. After being discovered playing the Amateur Athletic Union circuit by Kansas Assistant Coach Kurtis Townsend, Mason was offered a scholarship by the University of Kansas.[6]

College career

Mason makes a pass during a 2013 game

As a sophomore at Kansas, he was a second team All Big 12 selection.[7] He averaged 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game as a sophomore, an increase from the 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game he averaged as a freshman.[8]

During his junior season, Mason averaged 12.9 points and 4.6 assists and was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team.[4]

During his senior season, Mason took on more of a leadership role on the Kansas team, becoming the first player in Big 12 history to average 20 points and 5 assists a game during the regular season.[9] His regular season culminated in receiving multiple awards. He was unanimously selected as the Big 12 Player of the Year, averaging 20.5 points and 5.1 assists in the regular season.[10] He was also consensus first team All-American selection, the NCAA-leading 29th first-team selection in Kansas basketball history.[11] He was the first consensus National Player of the Year in Jayhawks history.[12][13][14][15][16][17]

Professional career

Sacramento Kings (2017–2019)

Mason was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the 34th pick in the 2017 NBA draft.[18] He played in the NBA Summer League for the Kings, where he scored 24 points in 24 minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 10, 2017, adding 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.[19] For the full 2017–18 regular NBA season, Mason averaged 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 52 games.[20]

Mason was waived by the Kings on July 4, 2019.[21]

Milwaukee Bucks (2019–2020)

Mason signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks on July 26, 2019. In the deal, he split time between the Bucks and their NBA G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.[22] In the G League, he scored 44 points in a win over the Grand Rapids Drive on February 19, 2020.[23]

Mason was awarded the NBA G League MVP for the 2019–20 season on June 25, 2020. He averaged 26.4 points, 5.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game with the Herd.[24]

Orlando Magic (2021)

On December 18, 2020, Mason signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, but was waived the next day[25] and signed with their NBA G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.[26] However, on February 3, 2021, the Orlando Magic signed him to a two-way contract right before the beginning of the G League season.[27] However, Mason was waived on February 15 after playing in four games.[28] Two days later, he was re-acquired by Delaware, but was waived on March 5 after suffering a season-ending injury. He didn't log any minutes with the Blue Coats.[29]

South Bay Lakers (2021–2022)

Mason joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2021 NBA Summer League.[30]

On October 13, 2021, Mason signed with the Los Angeles Lakers[31] and was waived the following day.[32] On October 23, he signed with the South Bay Lakers as an affiliate player.[33] In seven games, he averaged 9.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.[34]

Wisconsin Herd (2022)

On February 24, 2022, Mason was traded, along with a 2022 first-round pick, to the Wisconsin Herd in exchange for Tremont Waters and a 2022 second-round pick.[34]

In November 2022, he signed with Beirut Club of the Lebanese Basketball League.[35]

SLUC Nancy (2023–2024)

On January 15, 2023, he signed with SLUC Nancy Basket of the LNB Pro A.[36]

On June 22, 2024, he signed with Scafati Basket of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).[37] In September, 2024, he left the team.[38]

Fujian Sturgeons (2024)

On October 5, 2024, he signed with Fujian Sturgeons of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).[39]

National team career

Mason and the Kansas Jayhawks competed on behalf of the United States in the 2015 World University Games.[40] He scored 18 points in a double-overtime victory over Germany in the gold medal game and received the Finals MVP award.[41]

Personal life

Mason grew up in the housing project of Pin Oak Estates located in Petersburg, Virginia, where he developed his game and earned the nickname "The Phenom" by local onlookers within the community.[42] Mason has a son named Amari.[4]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Sacramento 52 2 18.9 .379 .360 .817 2.5 2.8 .7 .2 7.9
2018–19 Sacramento 38 0 11.4 .420 .219 .684 1.1 2.2 .4 .1 5.1
2019–20 Milwaukee 9 0 13.1 .451 .286 .588 2.1 3.2 .6 .1 6.9
2020–21 Orlando 4 1 19.8 .375 .400 .714 3.0 3.0 .0 .0 6.3
Career 103 3 15.7 .396 .301 .755 2.0 2.6 .5 .1 6.7

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020 Milwaukee 2 0 1.0 — — — .0 0.5 .0 .0 .0
Career 2 0 1.0 — — — .0 0.5 .0 .0 .0

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Kansas 35 3 16.1 .417 .327 .662 1.3 2.1 .5 .0 5.5
2014–15 Kansas 36 36 33.5 .441 .429 .786 3.9 3.9 1.4 .1 12.6
2015–16 Kansas 38 38 33.5 .434 .381 .739 4.3 4.6 1.3 .1 12.9
2016–17 Kansas 36 36 36.1 .490 .471 .794 4.2 5.2 1.3 .1 20.9
Career 145 113 30.0 .454 .420 .761 3.4 4.0 1.1 .1 13.0

References

  1. ^ Norlander, Matt (March 29, 2017). "Kansas' Frank Mason parlays consistency, efficiency into CBS Player of the Year honor". CBS Sports. New York City, New York. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  2. ^ Bedore, Gary (April 2, 2017). "KU's Frank Mason adds to award haul with NABC player of year". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  3. ^ Kansas' Frank Mason III is AP Player of the Year, unanimous All-American Selection, Kansas City Star, March 28, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Frank Mason III – 2013–14 Men's Basketball". KU Athletics. July 9, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  5. ^ Shaffer, Jonas. "A failing grade kept Kansas point guard Frank Mason III away from Towson". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  6. ^ Moore, C.J. "HOW FRANK MASON WENT FROM UNWANTED RECRUIT TO THE KANSAS JAYHAWKS' LEADING MAN". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  7. ^ "Sooners' Hield Leads All-Big 12 Men's Basketball Honors". Big 12 Conference. March 8, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  8. ^ "Frank Mason III". Fox Sports. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  9. ^ "Frank Mason III becomes the first player in big 12 history to average 20 points and 5 assists per game for a season". Reddit. March 5, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  10. ^ "KU's Frank Mason, Bill Self are Big 12 player, coach of the year". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  11. ^ "Mason earns Consensus All-America First Team distinction". KUAthletics.com. March 28, 2017.
  12. ^ "Kansas' Frank Mason III is AP Player of the Year, unanimous All-America selection". CBSSports.com. March 28, 2017.
  13. ^ "Kansas' Frank Mason III is Sporting News college basketball Player of the Year". SportingNews.com. August 12, 2021.
  14. ^ "USA TODAY Sports player of the year: Kansas' Frank Mason III". USAToday.com.
  15. ^ "Mason Wins Oscar Robertson Trophy". Big12Sports.con. March 31, 2017.
  16. ^ "Mason awarded Naismith Trophy". KUAthletics.com. April 2, 2017.
  17. ^ "KU's Frank Mason adds to award haul with NABC player of year". KansasCity.com.
  18. ^ "Frank Mason III drafted in second round by Sacramento Kings". Richmond Free Press. June 30, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  19. ^ Bisel, Tim. Summer league shootaround: Frank Mason heats up in third game, Topeka Capitol-Journal, July 11, 2017.
  20. ^ Jones, Jason. Why the season is already over for Kings rookie Frank Mason III, Sacramento Bee, April 10, 2018.
  21. ^ "Kings Waive Frank Mason III". NBA.com. July 4, 2019. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  22. ^ "Bucks Sign Frank Mason III and Cam Reynolds to Two-Way Contracts". NBA.com. July 26, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  23. ^ "Bucks' Frank Mason: Erupts in G League". CBS Sports. February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  24. ^ "Wisconsin Herd's Frank Mason III Named 2019–20 NBA G League Most Valuable Player". Milwaukee Bucks. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  25. ^ Lauren Rosen [@LaurenMRosen] (December 19, 2020). "Official @sixers update" (Tweet). Retrieved March 1, 2021 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ "Blue Coats Announce 2021 Roster". NBA.com. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  27. ^ "Orlando Magic Sign Free Agent Frank Mason III to Two-Way Contract Orlando waives Jordan Bone". NBA.com. February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  28. ^ "Magic's Frank Mason: Inks two-way deal with Magic". CBSSports.com. February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  29. ^ "NBA G League Transactions". NBA.com. February 21, 2021. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  30. ^ "Philadelphia 76ers 2021 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League Roster". NBA. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  31. ^ "Lakers Sign Chaundee Brown Jr. and Mac McClung". NBA.com. August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  32. ^ "Lakers Make Training Camp Cuts". NBA.com. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  33. ^ Kioski, Nick (October 23, 2021). "South Bay Finalizes Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  34. ^ a b "Herd acquire Frank Mason in a trade". Fox 11 News. February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  35. ^ De Roa, Alberto (November 21, 2022). "Former Kings player Frank Mason signed with Lebanese team Beirut Club for the 2022-23 season". HoopsHype. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  36. ^ Skerletic, Dario (January 15, 2023). "SLUC Nancy lands Frank Mason III". Sportando. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  37. ^ Skerletic, Dario (June 22, 2024). "Former NBA point guard Frank Mason III joins Givova Scafati". Sportando. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  38. ^ "LA GIVOVA ADESSO È AL COMPLETO: VOJTÊCH HRUBAN ULTIMO COLPO DEL MERCATO GIALLOBLÙ". Scafati Basket. September 29, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  39. ^ "Sturgeons sign Frank Mason III". Eurobasket.com. October 5, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  40. ^ Vecenie, Sam (May 21, 2015). "SMU's Nic Moore to play with Kansas team at University Games". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  41. ^ "Frank Mason III and Wayne Selden Jr. rack up Games honors". Lawrence Journal-World. July 22, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  42. ^ "Goodbye, Kansas". Theplayerstribune.com. May 26, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
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