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Frank Mason III overcome by emotion in final game
Senior guard Frank Mason III sheds some tears while walking off the court for the last time.
JORDAN WOLF
@JordanWolfKU
Frank Mason III normally isn't one to show much emotion. But as he walked off the Allen Fieldhouse court for the final time to a roar of applause, he couldn't hold back the tears.
Missy Minear/KANSAN
He'd just given the home Kansas crowd one last classic performance, a 23-point, six assist showing that propelled the Jayhawks to a comeback victory. As coach Bill Self pulled him and his other two seniors from the last seconds of the game for a final curtain call, Mason couldn't contain himself as he walked towards the bench.
Tears welled in his eyes as he went down the bench, sharing hugs with the coaching staff and his teammates. He took his seat at the end, still trying to compose himself as fellow seniors Tyler Self and Landen Lucas gave their speeches.
Soon enough, the time came for Mason to speak. Once Lucas was finished, Coach Self took the microphone to introduce his long-time point guard, making sure the audience knew how highly he thought of him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the best guard I've ever coached and this year's National Player of the Year: Frank Mason." Self said.
Chants of "MVP! MVP! MVP!" broke out throughout the gym. Raucous cheers piled upon each other until the scene was almost deafening. At first, all Mason could say was "wow." Once the applause had finally died down, he shared his gratitude.
"What an amazing four years for me," Mason said. "I couldn't ask to play at a better University than here at Kansas."
And what an amazing four years it was. In his time at Kansas, Mason forever etched his name in the team's history books, being just one of 12 players to ever surpass 1,700 total career points. In doing so, he's earned praise
like that given by Self, consideration for National Player of the Year and recognition as one of the best players to ever don the crimson and blue.
Even though his career has been arguably more illustrious than any other Jayhawk, Mason is staying humble and keeping the team's success as his priority.
"That's all great, but with me, it's all about the team," Mason said. "I'd rather win a
National Championship than be Player of the Year."
As is customary in Senior Night speeches, Mason had several people to thank for his success.
"I can't believe that I got a chance to play with the best coach in the world," Mason said of Self.
"I got you guys' back for the rest of our lives," he said to his teammates. "I love you guys."
"We're so blessed to play
in front of you guys," he said to the fans.
Mason was especially grateful for one fan in particular: his 5-year-old son, Amari. It was Amari's first game in Allen Fieldhouse, so naturally, he wasn't sure how to react.
Having his son in attendance made his final game that much sweeter.
"It means everything to me to have him here and just experience a game here in
the fieldhouse," Mason said. "Just something I'll remember forever."
As he wrapped up his speech, a student cried out "four more years!" After the subsequent laughter settled, Mason poignantly summarized his overwhelming emotion to the crowd one last time.
"If I had the chance to play four more years here, I swear we would," Mason said.
Just: Goodbye, Allen Fieldhouse
► AMIE JUST
@Amie_Just
I didn't cry at my high school graduation, and I doubt I'll cry when I walk down the hill in May.
But I'll be completely honest, I've cried twice in Allen Fieldhouse.
The first time was on March 5, 2016. I was returning to my courtside seat after making a quick pre-tip trip to the media room to grab another soda. When I went to pull out my chair, there lay a handwritten letter from Holly Rowe to my mother. In red ink, Holly wrote to my mom because both of them were fighting cancer.
As I read the words, "Just want you to keep your spirits high despite this DUMB cancer. All my best as we fight together," I bawled. There was no hiding my tears.
The second time was February 27, 2017 - Senior Night.
Yes, it was Senior Night for Frank Mason III, Landen Lucas and Tyler Self, but I wasn't shedding tears for BIFM or Bonesaw.
I didn't lose control of my emotions like last year, but I did tear up when I was interviewing Frank Mason Jr. at halftime. As he grew nostalgic of his son's career, I became wistful of mine.
I watched my fair share of Kansas basketball games on TV in middle and high school, but being from Nebraska, I'd never made the pilgrimage until I enrolled as a student.
My love of basketball was affirmed here in Allen Fieldhouse.
I camped out near the Phog Allen statue for my first Late Night with one of my
friends, and his dad brought us Dunkin Donuts. Though he put in more effort, starting to camp out at 2 a.m., we had third or fourth row seats. Even though the game was a glorified scrimmage, in that moment I knew — with my ass hanging off the bleacher — this was where I was meant to be.
I only missed one game that year, and consequently it was the rare home loss to San Diego State. I didn't see Kansas lose in the old barn until this season when the Iowa State Cyclones came in and handed the Jayhawks their first home conference loss since 2013.
I doubt I'll cry when I walk down the hill in May. But I'll be completely honest, I've cried twice in Allen Fieldhouse."
I'd never seen a crowd so deflated. There was no "Rock Chalk Chant." The cheer-leaders didn't rush onto the court. Everyone just left. It was eerie.
I'll never forget the triple-overtime showdown between Oklahoma's Buddy Hield and Perry Ellis or when Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart attempted the flop of the century against Wayne Selden. I won't forget Kansas pulling off miraculous comebacks against Florida in 2014 and against West Virginia just a few weeks ago. Hearing the entire student section chant Perry Ellis' name as he cut down the nets in 2016 or "We want Tyler" in the closing minutes of 2017's TCU game brought chills down my spine.
Thankfully, as a student there were more good times than bad.
I haven't sat — or stood, rather — in the student section since I was a freshman, but that hasn't detracted from my experience. One of the questions I receive the most is: do you miss it?
Truthfully, not really..I've been afforded an experience unparalleled by any other. (Thank you, Dave.) Yes, my college experience has been incredibly different than the average student's, but I wouldn't give that up for anything. Even if that means getting elbowed by Greg Gurley from time to time.
60 games. I've watched 60 games in this building. Some days it feels like more, while other days, it feels like less. I'll remember some of those games more than others, but it's this last one I'll treasure unlike the rest.
Thank you, Allen Fieldhouse. I've learned more about myself in this place than I have any other.
Here's hoping I'm fortunate enough to make the pilgrimage back some day. Until next time.
Thank you, Allen Fieldhouse. It's been an eventful four years.
Thank you, Allen Fieldhouse. I'm humbled to say that you were once my office.
- Edited by Ashley
Hocking
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