GoldandBlack.com video and update: Mason Gillis
CARMEL — Shortly after offering New Castle forward Mason Gillis a scholarship for its 2019 recruiting class, Purdue got him on campus last week for an unofficial visit for its win over Michigan.
"It was awesome. They were playing Michigan, so I was expecting it to be a great game and it turned out to be a great game," Gillis said Friday night, following previously unbeaten New Castle's narrow loss at Carmel. "The environment's crazy up there. I loved it. (Isaac) Haas is unstoppable and I love how Matt Painter coaches, the whole system. It's awesome up there.
"Multiple times, I couldn't even hear myself talk, the atmosphere's so crazy and loud and the student section's amazing, the fans are amazing. And the way Purdue plays, I really like their style."
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Purdue has recruited the multi-skilled 6-foot-7 forward as a combo front-court player, in the mold of the Robbie Hummel/Vincent Edwards sort of template.
"I see myself like Vincent Edwards and Nojel Eastern," Gillis said, "those bigger guys who can handle the ball and be really versatile and do a little bit of everything, play 1 through 5, defend 1 through 5. That's what I practice for every day, to play like Vince Edwards."
Gillis showed at Carmel a smooth shooting stroke, versatility enough to rebound, handle the ball in the open floor and generate assist, as well as strong athleticism for his size. To begin the game, he exploited matchups against Carmel's big men with his ability to shoot and drive, before the Greyhounds switched up their matchups and began paying him extra attention. Gillis finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks as New Castle lost on a buzzer-beater.
Gillis holds early offers from Purdue, Butler and a handful of mid-major programs, with continued interest from Xavier, Wisconsin, Boston College, IU, Ohio State and others.
Another decision he'll have to make is between sports. He's also an excellent baseball player, a power-hitting outfielder.
"Right now, I'm just working hard at both, but definitely leaning toward basketball," Gillis said. "Baseball is my first love but I've started working more and more at basketball and started loving that more."
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