It was a whirlwind summer for fifth-year Bisons guard
Mason Kraus. The program's all-time leader in regular season steals, Kraus earned professional reps while also representing his country in multiple international tournaments. Now, he's using that experience to help the Herd both on and off the floor.
Following the 2024-25 season, where Kraus earned Canada West First Team All-Star status, he was drafted by the CEBL's Winnipeg Sea Bears. Repping it out against numerous NCAA and NBA G League veterans helped the Winnipegger grow in his confidence, maturity and consistency.
"Learning how to pick up little nuances of attacking someone when you're coming off a ball screen, or even with [G League and NCAA alum] Tevian [Jones], his relentlessness, he's always on go. Those athletes are keeping themselves and everyone else around them accountable," he said.
"They're making no excuses. I should have done this, I'll do this next time. Whereas I feel like sometimes I will be like next time I'll do it, rather than saying I'll fix this next time. That helped me with my persective a lot."
Kraus followed his CEBL experience up with a trip to Chile, and another to Paraguay as a part of Canada's 3x3 team.
His 3x3 teammates included U SPORTS National Champions Shydnn Smid and Ethan Boag, as well First Team All-Canadian and CEBL and national team veteran Aaron Rhoomes of Toronto Metropolitan, last year's OUA Player of the Year.
Being around like-minded, mature play-makers aided Kraus in his composure, and decision making. In the 3x3 game, a few untimely turnovers could cost you a game. It emphasized for him the importance of every possessions.
"For the first trip, I had Shadynn Smid who was with me also when we went to Paraguay. He's one of the best teammates I've ever had. He complemented my game very well. He's super athletic, a great defender and a sneakily athletic shooter," said Kraus.
"I think that helped me mostly as a leader. Seeing Shadynn, he's younger than me. How he's able to insert his will and how much he cares, it left a big impact on me and how I could be as a leader. In 3x3, if you go down and get a turnover, and they get a three, and you turn it over again, that's basically the game. It's about valuing possessions. I can find ways to make it easier for my teammates rather than a flashy pass. It's about me being more certain with my passes, which I think can help me at the next level."
On a personal level, the senior showcased the skills that Bisons fans have become accustomed to over the years.
Kraus and company beat the USA in the pool finals in Chile, a roster that included a G leaguer, two NCAA veterans and a pro player at the 3x3 level, and against the host country, the Sturgeon Heights alum scored 16 of Canada's 21 points.
"All threes," he smiled confidently when asking where the points came from.
"Usually there's one bigger guy on the floor. If that guy's on me, I know I can beat him to the rim. Or if he's staying I just shot the three. They picked their poison and I just did whatever I wanted basically."
Now back with the Herd, Kraus has averaged 16 points per game, and his 5.9 assists per game rank first in Canada West. The 4-3 Bisons have dealt with adversity in the early portion of the season due to injuries, including one to Kraus. But even when he's not on the floor, the veteran point guard is using his summer experience, and voice to make a difference. That won't change whether if he's in the lineup or not.
"I feel that the leadership I've been implementing in our practices and our games, I've tried to control the floor. But I feel like I could be more of a voice off the floor. From a game standpoint, I watch a lot of film. If I can call out play calls on the bench, and be like hey, this guy is coming off a down screen, get through, and just communicate from the sideline, I feel like I could be more of a voice rather than someone that's just chanting 'defence.'"
