photo by: The Basketball Tournament

Mass Street's Frank Mason faces off against Team Colorado's André Roberson during the game on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Wichita.

This summer’s edition of The Basketball Tournament could be Kansas’ fans last chance to see Frank Mason III on the hardwood.

In the initial Instagram post announcing that he would join KU alumni team JHX Hoops, the former national player of the year suggested he could potentially be drawing close to the end of his career.

Speaking to reporters on a Zoom call on Thursday afternoon, Mason, 32, said he has “a lot of years left in the tank,” but his focus is shifting to fatherhood — he has a 14-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter — and a possible future in coaching.

“Yeah, it’s kind of been on my mind a lot, but I’m still treating it as if I’m preparing to play next year,” said Mason, who spent last season in the French league with Limoges, averaging 11.9 points and 4.4 assists per game. “But I’m really thinking about this being my last year playing basketball, or last summer. It’s definitely a thought that I have all the time, and I haven’t made a decision yet, but it’s been on my mind.”

It might seem like an appropriate time, then, for a homecoming, and Mason is the headliner of this year’s JHX Hoops squad, which will face Kansas State alumni team Purple Reign in a best-of-three series beginning on July 21 at Bramlage Coliseum.

“(Fans) can expect to see the Frank Mason that they’re used to seeing at KU,” he said. “I’m in great shape, I feel good and I’m just ready to get out there and put on a show and win.”

It’ll be his third time overall appearing in The Basketball Tournament. He led the KU alumni to the third round in 2024, when he averaged 18 points and five assists, but then defected to join Syracuse alumni team Boeheim’s Army last summer, with a source saying at the time that the Syracuse team gave him a more lucrative financial offer. Boeheim’s Army ended up suffering an upset loss in the second round.

“I think last year was just more of a business decision,” Mason said on Thursday. “I just talked it over with the family and they kind of just encouraged me to play with that team last year, but that’s not what I truly wanted to do. Jayhawks (are) always where my heart is and it just felt right to bring it back this year and play with the guys.”

This year’s group currently consists of Mason along with Marcus Garrett, former Washburn guard Jacob Hanna, Zeke Mayo, Thomas Robinson, Lagerald Vick and Kevin Young, with Sherron Collins serving as head coach.

“I’m extremely confident, no matter who (steps) on the court, but we got a lot of good guys, a lot of good alumni joining,” Mason said. “I think we’re missing, like, maybe a big or two, but the roster is shaping up pretty good.”

In light of that need, Mason is hoping to recruit Udoka Azubuike to join the team, which would be a first for JHX Hoops. He has been playing in Israel.

“I think it’d be a great addition,” Mason said. “I missed playing with him as well, so. And I think one other guard we might be looking for, maybe Malik Newman. We tried to get Devonte’ (Graham), but I think those guys, they have other obligations, so I’m not sure if they’re available.”

The best-of-three element is new for TBT, which has reduced its field dramatically to consist of 16 teams fighting for a $2 million prize, and for Mason, who said, “It’s not the same team or same guys, but it’s just a feeling, and just the thought of playing against K-State is something I’m looking forward to.”