Will Mason Gillis play today in Duke basketball vs Cal game at Cameron Indoor Stadium?

Posted by author February 13, 2025 Basketball

Spread the love

Duke basketball’s Mason Gillis is expected to available for the Blue Devils against California after missing two games with an illness, according to a Duke spokesperson.

Gillis and the third-ranked Blue Devils (20-3, 12-1 ACC) return to Coach K Court for a matchup with the Golden Bears (12-12, 5-8) on Wednesday (9 p.m., ACC Network). Duke is coming off its first loss in two and a half months.

On Monday during the ACC’s weekly coaches teleconference, Duke coach Jon Scheyer said Gillis was “slowly, but surely … getting better.” Scheyer added Gillis could have made a “big difference” in the Blue Devils’ court-storming loss at Clemson.

“You look at some of our most competitive, most physical games and Mason has rose to the occasion,” Scheyer said.

“I think there’s no question we missed his talk, his experience, his physicality, his poise. But, that’s how it goes. But there’s no question, the value of Mason in those kinds of games is really what I envisioned in bringing him here, especially in those kinds of games.”

Gillis showed his importance in Duke’s comeback win at Wake Forest, finishing with 11 points and six rebounds to help the Blue Devils rally in the second half.

What Mason Gillis’ return to Duke basketball lineup means for Blue Devils

With Gillis back in the mix, it gives Scheyer the ability to go to a smaller lineup with a player capable of providing production offensively and defensively. Whereas other players on the bench may be limited as two-way players, Gillis is one of Duke’s best two-way options because of his 6-foot-6, 225-pound build and basketball IQ. There’s also the leadership factor of having a guy on the floor with 153 games of college experience.

Mason Gillis stats

Gillis is averaging 4.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 14.4 minutes per game. Across his first 21 games at Duke, Gillis made 36.4% of his 3-pointers. He has four games with double-digit points this season, including a season-high 12 points and four 3-pointers in Duke’s rout of Miami.

Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.