Mason Gillis Reflects on His Decision to Join the Blue Devils
Duke basketball has officially signed Mason Gillis, one of their newest recruits, amid some controversy over his candid admissions about the decision-making process. Despite his longstanding dream of playing for Duke, Gillis admitted that he sought advice from those close to him to ensure his choice wasn’t solely based on emotion.
“I always had to tell everybody, I’m biased towards Duke,” Gillis shared. “It’s been my dream to come to Duke. I need you to tell me maybe why I shouldn’t go to Duke.”
Ultimately, Gillis committed to Duke without visiting Durham, underscoring how straightforward the decision was for him. Support from current Duke players like Caleb Foster, Tyrese Proctor, and Cooper Flagg during the recruitment process further solidified his commitment. “You were definitely somebody we had to get,” Foster remarked on The Brotherhood Podcast.
Gillis brings a strong track record, having been named the Big Ten’s Sixth Man of the Year last season while at Purdue. He averaged 6.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, with impressive shooting percentages of 47.9% from the field and 46.8% from three-point range. “I felt wanted,” Gillis said. “It’s been my dream. No brainer.”
Joining Gillis in Duke’s transfer class are Syracuse’s Maliq Brown, Tulane’s Sion James, and Rice’s Cameron Sheffield, forming a group ranked as the No. 22 transfer portal recruiting class in the country by 247Sports.
Gillis is expected to provide veteran leadership and enhance the Blue Devils’ shooting capabilities next season. He also mentioned his commitment to improving his defense and ball-handling skills during offseason workouts.
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