Mason Gillis is set to play a pivotal role for Duke as they head into their Final Four showdown against fellow No. 1 seed Houston tonight in San Antonio. While most of the Blue Devils are experiencing this stage for the first time—at least as players—Gillis brings rare, firsthand experience. Freshman guard Kon Knueppel has attended the Final Four as a fan, as his mom recently shared on social media, but for the vast majority of the roster, this is uncharted territory.
Gillis, a graduate transfer from Purdue, is the lone Duke player who’s been here before. He played in last season’s national title game with Purdue, which ultimately fell to UConn, giving the Huskies their second consecutive championship.
That kind of experience gives Gillis immense value—not just with his play, but in the locker room and huddles. With a young Duke squad, his presence provides critical leadership and perspective on how to handle the pressures of college basketball’s biggest stage.
After Duke captured the ACC Tournament, many players celebrated the milestone—but not Gillis. When asked by 247Sports’ Adam Rowe if he took time to enjoy the victory, his response was simple: “No reason to.”
Speaking again the day before Duke opened its NCAA Tournament run, Gillis explained why he’s kept his focus sharp:
“We said it all year. We haven’t done sht and we won’t have done sht until we win the National Championship.”
That mentality is exactly what Duke needs right now. In a moment where it’s easy to feel content with how far they’ve come, Gillis serves as a reminder that the mission isn’t complete. His leadership ensures the team stays grounded and hungry.
On the court, Gillis contributes 4.2 points per game and shoots 34.4% from beyond the arc, but it’s his steadying influence and experience that make him one of Duke’s most important assets as they chase a title.
Catch all the action tonight at 8:49 p.m. ET on CBS as the Blue Devils look to punch their ticket to the national championship.