With key defensive player Maliq Brown sidelined for the last four games, Duke has still managed to stay undefeated, winning all four contests while limiting opponents to just 59.3 points per game.
One of the standout factors for Duke this season has been its impressive depth. Seven players in the rotation are averaging at least 5.6 points per game, and every player Jon Scheyer puts on the court is a solid defender. One veteran who has really stepped up in Brown’s absence is Purdue transfer Mason Gillis. While his season averages are modest at 4.9 points and 2.6 rebounds on 45% shooting, over the past four games, his production has increased to 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds on 56% shooting.
Gillis was recruited as a versatile “three-and-D” player, standing 6’6″ and weighing 225 pounds. Known for his defensive abilities both on the perimeter and in the paint, he was also one of the nation’s top three-point shooters during his time at Purdue, ranking 7th in the country in 2024 with a 46.8% shooting percentage from beyond the arc.
His skill set seemed like a perfect fit for Scheyer’s system, but his offensive performance was inconsistent early in the season, leading to fluctuating playing time. In Duke’s first seven games, Gillis averaged 15.3 minutes per game but struggled from three-point range, making just 26% of his attempts. Over the next nine games, his minutes decreased to 12.2 per contest, and his shooting from deep remained erratic, at just 29.2%.
However, with Brown out, Gillis has earned more playing time, averaging 19.8 minutes per game over the past four contests. In two of those games, he played over 20 minutes, a feat he hadn’t achieved since the season opener against Maine. During this stretch, Gillis has been on fire from three, hitting 7-of-13 attempts (53.8%) and scoring in double figures twice—something he had done only twice in the first 16 games of the season.
Gillis has not tried to take the spotlight but has become a reliable offensive threat and continued his solid defensive contributions. His recent success from beyond the arc is a hopeful sign for Duke fans, who are eager to see him continue playing a key role in spreading the floor for the Blue Devils.
As Duke prepares for the highly anticipated rivalry game against North Carolina on February 2nd, the team hopes that Gillis’ shooting resurgence is here to stay.
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