Former Purdue forward Mason Gillis, a standout who graced the national championship stage with the Boilermakers last season, revealed his commitment to Duke as a graduate transfer via social media on Monday afternoon. Despite not securing any starting positions for Purdue in the past season, Gillis made his mark by appearing in all 39 games off the bench, boasting an impressive 46.8% success rate from beyond the arc.
Standing tall at 6-foot-6, Gillis often collaborated with Zach Edey, the Naismith Player of the Year for 2023-24, in Purdue’s frontcourt. His knack for sinking shots, notably demonstrated in a remarkable game against Penn State during the 2022-23 season where he notched nine 3-pointers, contributed to floor spacing and offensive dynamism.
Navigating Purdue’s intricate offensive playbook, Gillis garnered numerous shot opportunities through catch-and-shoot plays and emerged as a reliable secondary option in pick-and-roll situations with Edey. Despite his defensive statistics falling short, with an average of 3.9 rebounds and minimal blocks and steals per game, Gillis’s offensive prowess secured him substantial playing time in one of the nation’s top teams.
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Throughout his tenure at Purdue, Gillis demonstrated his versatility, starting 63 games and appearing in 132, while aiding the Boilermakers in securing top-four seeds in the NCAA tournament annually, including a notable triumph in the 2023 Big Ten tournament.
In selecting Gillis, head coach Jon Scheyer aims to bolster Duke’s frontcourt following the departure of several key players to the transfer portal, NBA draft, and graduation.
Gillis joins Maliq Brown as the second forward recruited by Scheyer, bringing invaluable experience to the team and standing out as one of the most seasoned additions to the Blue Devils’ roster.
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