Nick KrugThe U.S. Basketball Writers Associaton on Monday named KU senior Frank Mason III as one of five first-team All-Americans and a finalist for the Oscar Robertson national player of the year award.
Mason, who already has received national player of the year nods from Bleacher Report, The Sporting News, NBC Sports, and USA Today, was joined on the USBWA’s first team by Villanova’s Josh Hart, Gonzaga’s Nigel Williams-Goss, Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan and UCLA’s Lonzo Ball.
Despite racking up these honors like few players who have come before him at Kansas, Mason will never be heard singing his own praises or celebrating himself. Instead, he keeps the focus on the team and their ultimate goal of winning a national title.
“That’s what he does,” KU coach Bill Self said on Monday morning. “That’s what leaders do. I know we always talk about “I” should not come out of your mouth that often and he believes that. He puts winning above everything else and he knows that his success is, in very large part, based on his teammates. I’m real proud of him how he’s handled that. It may not be sexy, but, as a coach or a parent, to see someone that you truly care about and you’ve seen ’em grow up right in front of your eyes and always deflect attention to give others credit is an unbelievable, positive trait.”
Asked what it took for Mason to get to this point, Self pointed to Mason’s drive and focus as being the foundation for a strong four-year career at Kansas.
“Frank’s matured a tremendous amount, probably about as much as anybody we’ve had here,” Self said. “When he first got here, he was a pretty disciplined, tough youngster that was just trying to find his way…. He’s kind of been able to put his own stamp on everything that’s gone on here. He’s a very strong-minded, strong-willed young man and has certainly put his will on everybody else around the program.
Jayhawks 3rd in AP Poll
Last Thursday’s loss to unranked TCU knocked Kansas down two spots in the final Associated Press poll before the NCAA Tournament.
The Jayhawks enter postseason play ranked No. 3 in both the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches poll, behind No. 1 Villanova and No. 2 Gonzaga. Arizona and Kentucky round out the Top 5 in both major polls.
Kansas and Villanova were the only teams in the country to start the season in the Top 10 and stay there all season.
