A point guard who gained widespread recognition while playing for the University of Kansas Jayhawks, he became a standout college player during his senior season in 2017. That year, he earned first team All-American honors and was named the Sporting News Player of the Year. His leadership helped lead Kansas to a #1 seed in the 2017 NCAA tournament, further solidifying his reputation as one of the top collegiate players. Later, he was selected 34th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Before reaching that level of fame, he had already made a name for himself during his sophomore year at Kansas, earning a spot on the second team All-Big 12. His success on the court may not come as a surprise considering his family background—his father, Frank Mason, was also highly accomplished in basketball.
He played a key role in guiding the US youth national basketball team to secure a gold medal at the 2015 World University Games. In addition, he was honored as the Most Valuable Player of the championship game. His leadership and performance were instrumental in the team’s success, and his recognition as MVP highlighted his significant contributions during the final stages of the competition.