Led by Frank Mason, JHX Hoops hopes to prove that they own the state of Kansas en route to the 2 million dollar prize
The TBT has started to feel like Groundhog Day for JHX Hoops. In the last three TBT’s, they have won their first two games, then lost in the regional final. This year, with the new format change, they won’t have to worry about that, but they’ll still have to beat their rivals, the Kansas State alumni team, if they want to get over the hurdle.
They’ll be led by Frank Mason, the 2017 Wooden Award winner, as well as other notable Jayhawks throughout the years. It hasn’t been too long since Kansas’ most recent national championship, but JHX Hoops would love to make Bill Self and Lawrence proud by adding to the illustrious Kansas accomplishment list.
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Roster:
- Marcus Garrett (Kansas)
- Frank Mason III (Kansas)
- Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State & Kansas)
- Jacob Hanna (Washburn)
- Andrew Orr (Washburn)
- Tyshawn Taylor (Kansas)
- Kevin Young (LMU & Kansas)
- Tra-Deon Hollins (Central CC, Chipola JC, & Omaha)
- DJ Burns (Southern University and A&M College, Murray State, & Youngstown State)
- Darnell Jackson (Kansas)
- Carlton Bragg Jr. (Kansas & New Mexico)
- Mario Chalmers (Kansas)
Coaching Staff:
- Stephanie Temple (GM)
- Sherron Collins (Head Coach)
- Braden Griffiths (Asst. Coach)
- Thomas Kruse (Asst. Coach)
Team MVP: Frank Mason III
Mason shockingly opted to play for the Syracuse alumni team, Boeheim’s Army, instead of JHX last year. As a result, he was demoted to the bench and scored just 7 points in two games. Luckily, he didn’t make the same mistake this year. In 2024, when he did play for the Kansas alumni team, which at the time was called Mass Street, he averaged 18 points per game, with over 5 assists per game.
The entire system will run through him, and they’ll look to him time and time again late in the shot clock to create opportunities. As mentioned, he’s played in TBT for a few years now, and not only can he make the big shots in the Elam Ending, but he wants to. Anytime we get to see Frank Mason in a Kansas jersey, it’s a treat, and hopefully for JHX fans it’ll be for more than three games.
Make-or-Break Player: Zeke Mayo
Mayo played on last year’s team and was the second-leading scorer behind Billy Preston, who isn’t on this year’s team. Mayo averaged 12.3 PPG to go with 5 rebounds a game. There were some issues. For starters, he averaged 5 turnovers a game. That’ll need to change, and hopefully having Mason as a primary ball handler will help with that. Mayo’s advantage is that he’s a terrific three-point shooter. Last year, though, he shot just 23.8% from deep.
If he can serve as a three-point specialist, that adds another dimension to this offense and makes them so dangerous. Last year, they didn’t have a single player who made more than 10 threes in those three games besides Mayo, so if he’s making them, then it can be the edge for them. If he’s cold again, then it may cause this team to scramble, especially if they find themselves down late.
Team Outlook
For a program with so many incredible college players, it’s a little surprising to see this is the roster they ended with. Yes, Frank Mason is a home run pick, but Zeke Mayo, one of two Jayhawks to play for the team this decade besides Marcus Garrett, is definitely surprising. Mario Chalmers and Tyshawn Taylor are both Jayhawk legends, but Taylor is 36, and Chalmers is 40. They didn’t pick up elite non-Kansas players like La Familia did, instead relying on some local Washburn players. JHX Hoops is playing their “home” game at Washburn, so perhaps that’ll expand their crowd.
All these former Jayhawks have played for Bill Self, and share the common purpose of making Jayhawk Nation proud. It’s going to be a tough matchup against Purple Reign, but with their experience and pedigree, we may see JHX Hoops break the curse and finally challenge the rest of TBT for a championship.