Inner Drive with Mason Gillis: Music, Rituals & Toast Debates
Mason: I grew up with a pretty diverse mix. My mom was into country, but she also played Erykah Badu, Beyoncé, and Mary J. Blige. My dad leaned more into hip-hop—Biggie, 2Pac, 50 Cent, Nas. That blend definitely shaped how I listen today. I’m into everything from R&B like Masego and Brent Faiyaz to hip-hop like Future and Gunna. I even mix in some Afrobeats and reggae just to switch up the vibe.
Mason: Absolutely. I always listen to Gunna and Future before games. It gets me locked in. And I’ve got a pretty quirky pre-game routine too. Left ankle taped first, then right. Left sock, right sock. Left shoe, right shoe. I stick to a consistent warm-up: stretching, ball handling, and a variety of shots. It’s all part of getting mentally and physically ready.
Mason: Beating Illinois to clinch the regular season. That was probably my last time playing there, and it was a tough, hard-fought game. The crowd was intense, and our team really came together. We’d been through some tough stretches, and at the end of that game, we all felt the same kind of joy and success. It was special for us and for anyone who watched it.
Q: Any other moments that stand out?
Mason: The Tennessee game that sent us to the Final Four. That was historic. Having all our families there, coming back from a deficit...it was just a beautiful moment. Coach Payne gave one of the best halftime speeches I’ve ever heard. He didn’t say much, but what he said hit hard. He reminded us that it was entirely up to us. Either we execute the plan and stick together, or we slip on the details. We regrouped, locked in, and won through the details. He empowered us, made it clear, and we followed through.
Q: Final question: brown sugar cinnamon toast or brown sugar cinnamon Pop-Tart?
Mason: Brown sugar cinnamon toast. But I won’t lie, the Pop-Tart hits different sometimes. Depends on the mood.
