Ball Possible Red Shirt?

[GunstonsGhost]

What are the odds of Ball red shirting this season? The rules aren't 100% clear to me, but it sounds like you don't have to declare a medical red shirt till the end of the season. Maybe they want to make sure Woody and Anderson are gonna be healthy through so many games? Maybe we'll hear something more definitive before conference play or at the next coach's show?

With the lineup getting tighter and Ball not having any game time with his new teammates it feels like we're unlikely to see him on the court this season. Especially with Woody playing such a prominent role.

He seems relatively healthy during shootarounds and warmups as well as on social media. It comes off as maybe there are some politics involved.

 

[hoopsjunkie75]

I was wondering the same thing regarding redshirt.

It was surmised that he wasn't playing as he got back up to weight and speed after a bad illness, but since he hasn't even gotten a garbage minute since then, I too think that he will end up as a medical redshirt this year.

 

[GMUgemini]

I was wondering the same thing regarding redshirt.

It was surmised that he wasn't playing as he got back up to weight and speed after a bad illness, but since he hasn't even gotten a garbage minute since then, I too think that he will end up as a medical redshirt this year.

He’s not going to play ahead of Anderson, Newton, Maddox, or Billups so if he’s ok with it I don’t think it’s the worst strategy. He won’t burn a year of eligibility playing 5-7 mpg that way.

edit: all four of those players will be gone next year.

 

[GunstonsGhost]

edit: all four of those players will be gone next year.

That's kinda what I was referring to as the politics. Maybe the coaching staff are encouraging him toward taking a red shirt so he can have a bigger impact next year after some of the seniors graduate.

 

[DRK331]

Austin Ball will redshirt this season

Tweet:

x.com

x.com

 

[GunstonsGhost]

Strange that we didn't hear it first from the coaches or Ball himself, but glad we have some resolution there.

 

[Pablo]

Austin Ball to Redshirt For 2024-25 Season - George Mason University Athletics

George Mason University men's basketball head coach Tony Skinn ('06) announced Tuesday that sophomore Austin Ball will redshirt during the 2024-25 season.

gomason.com

"'Austin is one of my favorite kids I've ever coached,' Skinn said. 'He was able to show our fans his potential last season. Unfortunately at the start of this year, he got sick and it cost him three weeks of developmental time. Combine that with our depth at the wing position this season, and we decided together to preserve this season of eligibility. We graduate a large senior class which will open up opportunities for him next season. We love having Austin here and want him to flourish in this program and graduate with a degree from George Mason.'"

"'I love playing for this program and being a part of Mason Nation,' Ball said. 'I'm going to be the loudest guy on the bench this season supporting my teammates and pushing them in practice. I look forward to continuing to develop my game and becoming a more complete player heading into next season.'"

 

[GMU79]

Austin Ball to Redshirt For 2024-25 Season - George Mason University Athletics

George Mason University men's basketball head coach Tony Skinn ('06) announced Tuesday that sophomore Austin Ball will redshirt during the 2024-25 season.

gomason.com

"'Austin is one of my favorite kids I've ever coached,' Skinn said. 'He was able to show our fans his potential last season. Unfortunately at the start of this year, he got sick and it cost him three weeks of developmental time. Combine that with our depth at the wing position this season, and we decided together to preserve this season of eligibility. We graduate a large senior class which will open up opportunities for him next season. We love having Austin here and want him to flourish in this program and graduate with a degree from George Mason.'"

"'I love playing for this program and being a part of Mason Nation,' Ball said. 'I'm going to be the loudest guy on the bench this season supporting my teammates and pushing them in practice. I look forward to continuing to develop my game and becoming a more complete player heading into next season.'"

That's the kind of kid you love to have on your team!

 

[Patriotsince81]

I have all the respect in the world for Austin Ball. He could have bailed when KE left but stuck around and showed true character and a commitment to Mason. This announcement shows once again this is a quality young man who every fan should want to be part of the program. I hope he BLOWS up the A10 next year and that he gets a fair chance at major minutes.

 

[GunstonsGhost]

Absolutely! Love his commitment to the program and the fact that he wants to graduate from our university. Not many made like him these days. Respect.

 

[psyclone]

Austin Ball will redshirt this season

Tweet:

x.com

x.com

Both he and Darius were not in uniform but underneath the basket during warmups, passing the ball out to teammates to shoot. Darius didn't seem to be limping nor did he have anything on his foot/ankle. So hopefully more precautionary with him today.

 

[GMUgemini]

Both he and Darius were not in uniform but underneath the basket during warmups, passing the ball out to teammates to shoot. Darius didn't seem to be limping nor did he have anything on his foot/ankle. So hopefully more precautionary with him today.

Skinn said he practiced this morning and is hoping he’ll be ready for Saturday in the postgame. He being Maddox.

As for Ball he said they both had the redshirt idea around the same time.

 

[psyclone]

Skinn said he practiced this morning and is hoping he’ll be ready for Saturday in the postgame. He being Maddox.

As for Ball he said they both had the redshirt idea around the same time.

Postgame presser link?? I've tried the facebook for Mason Athletics and it doesn't appear there. Is there a consistent place to look for it?

 

[GMUgemini]

Postgame presser link?? I've tried the facebook for Mason Athletics and it doesn't appear there. Is there a consistent place to look for it?

I’ve had success with Giant Killers’s Twitter feed for home games anyway: https://x.com/GMUGiantKiller/status/1864130443076841779

 

[psyclone]

I’ve had success with Giant Killers’s Twitter feed for home games anyway: https://x.com/GMUGiantKiller/status/1864130443076841779

Thanks! I'll try to remember so that I'm not pleading for a link, hat in hand, after every game.