The redshirt junior is one of two team captains for the Boilermakers.
A 6-foot-6 outfielder and pitcher, he could touch 90 miles per hour as a teenager and once famously had the game-winning hit to send his hometown New Castle, Indiana team to theIt wasn't just the game that Gillis developed an affinity for, but the work he had to put into basketball to be good.
He'd return to the starting lineup, a spot reserved for him the first seven games this year as well. Gillis recently missed three straight games after a minor back injury suffered while working out in the weight room."You can learn from it rather than let it affect you in a negative way," Gillis said."The things I went through were tough, but the people who have helped me I am very grateful for them.
"The vocal part is the part that's coming out more," assistant coach Terry Johnson said."After practice, we don't really say much in the huddle. They find out what they have to do next and then it's Mason normally talking."He's a mismatch nightmare at 6-6. He can play physical with his thick body and he can draw you out on the perimeter and knock down 3-pointers.
"That kind of mentality starts from the top down," sophomore Caleb Furst said."With him being a leader and having that mentality is huge for us. It's definitely a key factor in why we've been able to be successful so far."