Frank Mason III, in NBA bubble with Bucks, is ready to contribute to rest of odd season
The NBA announced Monday that none of the 346 players in the league’s Disney World bubble tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus over the last week in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
That’s good news for all players, including former University of Kansas guard Frank Mason III of the Milwaukee Bucks. The 26-year-old native of Petersburg, Virginia has been with his NBA team at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex for the last week and a half.
“We’ve been having a lot of free time while inside the bubble,” Mason, college basketball’s consensus player of the year in 2017, said Sunday in a Zoom call with Bucks reporters.
“They gave us a couple different options of what we can do. Fishing … we haven’t got bowling open yet. Other than that, golf and we’ve got a lounge inside the hotel. We’ve got some different options where we can hang out with the team and build that chemistry off the court. It’s been going really well,” Mason added.
Mason was asked if he’s been able to visit with any players on other teams or if that’s against the rules. Mason was a second-round draft pick of the Sacramento Kings in 2017 and played there his first two seasons in the league before joining the Bucks on a two-way contract this season.
“I’ve seen a couple guys leaving out of the practice gym and just kind of chop it up with them then,” Mason said of visiting with friends from other squads in the league. “Everybody is in different hotels. I haven’t gotten to see them often. If I do, we’ll chop it up, continue to talk about the season and what’s next.”
The Bucks, who had a 53-12 record when the season was put on hold because of COVID-19 coronavirus on March 12, added Mason to the active roster (off their G League Wisconsin Herd team) for the rest of the 2019-20 campaign to fill a possible need in the rotation.
Starting guard Eric Bledsoe and reserve Pat Connaughton are out after testing positive for COVID-19 coronavirus before the squad left for Florida. It’s not known yet when they’ll be able to report to the bubble.
The Bucks’ first game in the official bubble is July 31. The squad has its first practice game against San Antonio on Thursday. Mason figures to play in that game.
“It’s been a good opportunity so far,” Mason said. “With us missing ‘Bled,’ I get an opportunity to get out and show coach (Mike Budenholzer) what I can do. My job is just to go out and make the team better and be a leader and do whatever I can do to bring positive energy to the team.”
Mason was named MVP of the G League after averaging 26.4 points, 5.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 23 games with the Herd. With the Bucks this season, the 26-year-old Mason averaged 2.3 points and 1.8 assists while averaging 8.8 minutes per game in six contests.
“What he did this year as the MVP of the G League, that’s pretty special,” Budenholzer told the Milwaukee Journal. “We feel confident that if we need Frank in a game he’s going to be ready, going to be able to help us. For roster balance I think it makes sense in a lot of ways to have Frank. We’re excited about him and having him and we know he’ll be ready.”
At this time, the Bucks have healthy guards in George Hill, Wesley Matthews, Donte DiVincenzo, Sterling Brown and Mason. Frontcourt players who can be used at guard include Kyle Korver and Khris Middleton.
“Whatever opportunity comes my way, my job is just to be ready, be a professional and take advantage of it,” Mason said.
“I think that’s what I’ve done so far, just going to practice every day, try to learn the system even more, play with the guys. Hopefully when that opportunity comes I’ll do a good job.”
The 5-foot-11 Mason will be a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the season.
“It’s been a great year so far,” Mason said. “Too bad we had to end the G League season early (because of pandemic). It was great to be around the guys (on the Herd). We had a great coaching staff (led by head coach/KU graduate Chase Buford). My time with the Bucks was good, learning from the sidelines whenever I did get the opportunity (in the six games).”
This story was originally published July 21, 2020 at 9:43 AM with the headline "Frank Mason III, in NBA bubble with Bucks, is ready to contribute to rest of odd season."
