NCAA Basketball: Ranking the last 25 AP Player of the Year award winners

The leader of the Kansas Jayhawks‘ Elite Eight team in 2017, Frank Mason separated himself from several other future NBA players on the roster. He led the Jayhawks in points and assists while providing solid production on defense, making him one of Kansas’ all-time favorite players.

Among all the incredible scorers later on this list, Mason may have been the most efficient shooter, despite his relatively low volume. He may have attempted fewer 3’s than Devonte’ Graham and Svi Mykhailiuk, but his 47 percent success rate was nearly 10 percent higher than the next best teammate.

Scoring wasn’t Mason’s only attribute. He was known to provide whatever was needed to help his team win. He was successful at finding the hot hand, playing solid on-ball defense and attacking the boards for rebounds. Despite standing just 5-foot-11, Mason finished the season with the fourth-most rebounds on the roster.

However, this list isn’t comparing Mason to his teammates. And his spot among these early guards is secured because of his ability to contribute in all facets of the game at an efficient level. He was a better defender than Jalen Brunson, a better offensive facilitator than J.J. Redick and a steadier hand than Jay Williams.

While many players would use their short height as an excuse for not contributing in various areas of their team’s gameplan, the small Mason was able to play at a high level. He was an excellent shooter, a willing facilitator and an above-average rebounder. This puts him in the middle of this early group of guards.