RCW: Bird's Eye View - Men's Basketball
Each week the Bird’s Eye View captures some of the best moments for Kansas Athletics. From the playing field, practice gym or behind the scenes, don’t miss this week’s exclusive look into Kansas men’s basketball’s Frank Mason III.
Player of the Year – Frank Mason III accepted the Big 12 Conference’s Player of the Year award inside Sprint Center from Commissioner Bob Bowlsby on Thursday, March 9. Besides being the unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team, the KU senior has been named National Player of the Year and First Team All-America by the Sporting News, USA TODAY, Bleacher Report and NBC Sports. Mason is one of the five finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy and one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy. This week’s Bird’s Eye View looks back on Mason’s historic season.
Photo by Jeff Jacobsen
The Lion Roars – Mason let out a monstrous roar after scoring the final five points for Kansas, including a long jumper with 1.8 seconds left, to sink top-ranked Duke, 77-75, in the State Farm Champions Classic inside Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday, November 15.
Photo by Jeff Jacobsen
Frank the Tank – Over the course of his career at KU, senior Frank Mason III has dazzled KU fans with his daring drives to the basket. Often those drives ended with the guard picking himself up after a bone-jarring crash to the hardwood as he did in the game against Siena on Friday, November 18 inside Allen Fieldhouse. Fortunately, Mason continued to pick himself up from the court in the game against the Saints in which he scored a team-high 18 points.
Photo by Jeff Jacobsen
A True Blue Blood – Mason raced down the Rupp Arena court on his way to scoring a game-high 21 points in KU’s 79-73 victory over Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, on Saturday, January 28.
Photo by Jeff Jacobsen
Slaying the Bears – Against Baylor inside Allen Fieldhouse, Mason scored 19 points with six assists to become the 10th Jayhawk to reach 500 career assists. The senior also shot a perfect 12-for-12 at the free throw line in the 73-68 victory over the Bears on Wednesday, February 1.
Photo by Jeff Jacobsen
The Final Score – Mason leaped up to touch the hands of the joyous KU students in front of an Allen Fieldhouse scoreboard after the senior led KU to a 73-68 victory over Baylor on Wednesday, February 1, to give the Jayhawks sole possession of first place in the Big 12 Conference standings.
Photo by Jeff Jacobsen
Weary Warrior – A weary and emotional Mason leaned on assistant coach Kurtis Townsend for support after scoring 20 points in KU’s 87-68 victory over TCU on Wednesday, February 22, to give the Jayhawks a share of their 13th-consecutive regular-season title.
Photo by Jeff Jacobsen
Another Title – Mason showed off his commemorative tee shirt after KU clinched a share of its 13th-straight Big 12 regular-season title that tied UCLA (1967-79) for the most consecutive conference titles in college basketball history. Mason scored 20 points in the 87-68 victory over TCU in Allen Fieldhouse on Wednesday, February 22.
Photo by Jeff Jacobsen
Sharing the Praise – Mason saluted his teammates, coaches and the fans in Allen Fieldhouse as he stood amid the 13 Big 12 regular-season title trophies on Wednesday, February 22. The senior scored 20 points in the 87-68 victory over TCU, giving KU a share of 13-straight conference titles.
Photo by Jeff Jacobsen
Soaking It In – Mason soaked in the atmosphere of a raucous Allen Fieldhouse just before the tip of the senior’s final home game against Oklahoma on Monday, February 27.
Photo by Mike Gunnoe
Tearful Tribute – Tears flowed as Mason watched a video highlighting his career, and those of fellow seniors Landen Lucas and Tyler Self, after KU defeated Oklahoma 73-63 on Senior Night in Allen Fieldhouse on Monday, February 27.
Photo by Mike Gunnoe
A Final Salute – Mason waved to the crowd as he walked to mid-court inside Kansas City’s Sprint Center to accept the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year award before the senior played in his final Big 12 Championship game against TCU on Thursday, March 9.
Photo by Jeff Jacobsen
