Report: Makai Mason to return to Yale next season, pursue graduate transfer in 2018

Yale guard Makai Mason will return to the Bulldogs next season, then seek a graduate transfer after that, according to Jon Rothstein of FanRag Sports.

Mason broke out last season to the tune of 16 points and four assists per game, leading Yale to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1962. In the Bulldogs’ first-round upset of Baylor, he scored 31 points, creating expectations for a dominant 2016-17.

He never got the chance to play this season, however. He injured his foot in a preseason scrimmage and surgery sidelined him for the year.

When Mason returns to the Bulldogs, he will have two years of eligibility left. A source told Rothstein that he will play another season for Yale, graduate, then potentially transfer in spring 2018 without having to sit out under NCAA transfer rules.

In Mason’s absence, it has been an unexpected blend of freshmen and sophomores leading the way for Yale. The Bulldogs are 14-7 overall and 6-2 in the Ivy League, with freshman Miye Oni leading the team in scoring (12.9 ppg), rebounding (6.8), and three-point percentage (41.7).

Throw Mason back in the mix next year and the Bulldogs should be early favorites to return to the NCAA Tournament in 2018.