Herd’s Frank Mason III named 2019-20 NBA G League MVP

OSHKOSH — Wisconsin Herd guard Frank Mason III has been named the 2019-20 NBA G League Most Valuable Player, the league announced Thursday. Mason earned the honor in a vote comprised of the league’s 28 coaches and general managers.

“As was evident by his production and contribution, Frank embraced his opportunity while with us,” said Milwaukee Bucks Vice President of Basketball Operations and Wisconsin Herd General Manager Dave Dean. “It was a privilege to watch him play and develop, and his growth over the course of the season was nothing short of tremendous.”

“Frank has been an unbelievable point guard and leader for us all season,” said Herd head coach Chase Buford. “Throughout the season, he proved that he is an NBA caliber player, and this deserved recognition clearly reflects that. Frank is a high-quality person and teammate, and that impresses me most.”

While leading the Herd to a league-best 33 wins, Mason collected averages of 26.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.1 steals, while shooting 50.4% from the field, 42.5% from beyond the arc and 81.5% at the free throw line.

His 26.4 points ranked first among all players who appeared in 10 or more games, and he joined Amile Jefferson as the only players to average 25 points while shooting 50% or higher from the field. In addition to leading the league in scoring average, Mason was one of three players to shoot at least 50% overall, 40% from three and 80% at the line.

In 23 games played, he totaled 20 20-point performances, seven 30-point efforts and one 40-point outing. In his final six games played, he tallied 206 points (34.3 avg.), which was highlighted by a 44-point performance against the Grand Rapids Drive. The 44 points marked a personal career high and is the third-highest scoring output in franchise history.

Mason capped his 2019-20 G League season by being named Player of the Month for February. In nine games (all starts), he led the Herd to eight wins while averaging 29.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 29.4 minutes of action. He garnered shooting percentages of 56.1% from the field, 42.9% from three and 85.0% at the free throw line.

For the month, Mason led the league in total points (268), field goals (96) and free throws (34) and his 29.8 points per game were the second-most of any player who appeared in five or more games.

Mason became the third Herd player to win Player of the Month honors, joining Rayjon Tucker and Jaylen Adams. The trio currently stands as the only teammates in G League history to win the award in three consecutive months.

In franchise history, Mason ranks fifth in three-pointers (77), sixth in points (608) and field goals (212) and eighth in free throws (75).

This marks the first time a Wisconsin Herd player has garnered NBA G League Most Valuable Player honors, and Mason becomes the 20th player in G League history to receive the award.