Editor's note: The George Mason University men's basketball primer will take a look at storylines surrounding the Green & Gold heading into the team's much anticipated 2018-19 campaign. Check back throughout the preseason for features on GoMason.com.

By Bill Rohland
"Voice of the Patriots"

With the 2018-19 season less than a month away, I thought it would be interesting to look back over my notes from the trip to give some final basketball related thoughts on the Mason men's basketball three game tour of Spain.  The 2-1 record doesn't mean much ultimately, but the Patriots could have easily been 3-0 on the trip had it not be for an unfortunate no call late in game two of the trip.  With that, here are some thoughts on each player after their efforts in Spain.  Keep in mind the playing conditions, travel, FIBA rules, etc. had a unique impact on each player but I'll do my best to translate what I saw to the upcoming season.
 
THE SENIORS
Otis Livingston II—Otis was Otis.  It's no coincidence Mason's offense got better each game of the trip because Otis played better each game of the trip, culminating with a team high 17 in the final game.  I'm not sure if it was the FIBA ball (many guys commented about how "slick" the ball would feel as the game went on) or just a trust in his other teammates, but Otis wasn't looking to get his 3-point shot as much as he did during his junior year.  Mason will still look to Otis to lead them and he will likely earn a spot on the All-A-10 preseason team.
 
Jaire Grayer—Grayer didn't play in Spain as he recovers from an offseason foot procedure. That isn't to say he was just along for the ride.  Grayer was one of the most vocal on the bench and was seen many times talking to the younger guards when they came off the floor.  His team also won the "Amazing Race" challenge in Barcelona after he guaranteed victory at the hotel before the start.  Senior leadership. 
 
THE JUNIORS
Ian Boyd—Every player works hard in the offseason but I'm not sure any of them worked harder than Ian Boyd.  A regular in the gym for his own 6 a.m. work outs, Boyd looks much quicker and confident.  His jumper seemed more consistent and the Patriots ran set plays to get Boyd looks from long range.  Boyd is still one of the strongest guys on the team and isn't afraid to mix it up down low when need be.  Boyd did struggle with the smaller court dimensions, especially trying to find room in the corners on offense.  Two straight possessions in Mason's third game of the trip Boyd was open in the corner, only to be standing on the sideline out of bounds (his teammates had a good laugh over it). 
 
Justin Kier—Admittedly Kier struggled from long range in his sophomore season.  He shot just 17 percent from deep after hitting 38.6 percent as a freshman.  He isn't giving up on the three ball as he was taking and hitting shots from the arc in Spain.  His game high 20 points in game two of the trip was an electric showing and he was more than capable of running the show when the Patriots would move Livingston II off the ball in certain sets. I'll be surprised if he shoots below 20 percent from three-point range again.
 
Jarred Reuter—Certainly the one player Mason fans can't wait to see take the floor.  Let me say the big man is as advertised.  A solid rebounder, big time screen setter and deft with the ball, Reuter is going to make life a lot easier for Livingston II, Jamal Hartwell II or whomever is running the point. He can convert from the high post either hitting jump shots or driving his defender to the basket.  He seemed to really enjoy the physicality of the international game and playing against the Euro style requiring big men to cover all over the floor, not just in the post. 

THE SOPHOMORES
AJ Wilson—One of my favorite moments from the Spain trip came in the game two loss at La Roda and it was provided by Wilson.  Normally a Wilson highlight would probably be a high-flying dunk (which he had in game three) but this was a "I'll see you at the rim" block that left even the local crowd oohing and aahing.  The best part about the block was AJ's reaction.  Or lack thereof.  His freshman year, Wilson was a ball of emotion at times—good and bad—but after the block in Spain he busted down the floor trying to get the Patriots an advantage in transition.  I asked him if he talked any court trash to his Spanish victim on the block and Wilson said "nope.  No talking this year, just playing."  Growth. 
 
Javon Greene—Steady.  That's the easiest way to describe how Greene played in Spain.  He didn't force shots, he looked to make the extra pass on more than one occasion and he did a nice job defensively using his long reach to bother opponents.  He, like many Patriots, was caught off guard on occasion when the opposition would fire up a contested three from 24 feet (and occasionally knock those down) but if Greene forces opponents into those shots during the season I think Coach Dave Paulsen would be ok with it.  I think Greene has the speed and desire to be a lock down defender. 
 
Goanar Mar—Mar was one of the guys having trouble with the FIBA ball and how slick it would get from sweat, condensation, etc.  He also seemed to be the victim more than any other player of questionable foul calls by the home town refs.  Mar barely played in game three because of foul trouble and had two-point blank layups slip out of his hands, but otherwise it was the Goanar Mar we saw as a freshman.  The player that hits threes, plays good defense and does nothing flashy but everything solid. 
 
Greg Calixte—Calixte improved more than any player from October of 2017 to March of 2018 and that growth continued in Spain.  My favorite moment from Calixte came in a span of about 45 seconds when, playing in the high post, he hit a perfect back door cut to a guard for a lay up and on the next possessions set a perfect hand off screen for another open jumper.  Two assists on two different plays on consecutive possessions.  This from a guy who only had 13 assists all last season.  It was easy to see the higher level of confidence Greg has after a season in college.  He was coming off the bench behind Reuter in Spain, but many times there wasn't much drop off—especially in effort—when he came in the game.
 
THE FRESHMEN
Jamal Hartwell II —For all the freshmen this was the first I've seen them in actual game action outside of scrimmages at the practice facility.  And it may be tough to judge them on three games played in a foreign land battling jet lag, long bus trips and some questionable facilities.  Hartwell, despite all the obstacles, was impressive.  A four assist no turnover performance in game one had me optimistic.  Hitting a big time shot with under a minute to go in game two showed me the Patriots found another point guard not afraid of "the moment".  I wish I could have seen more from Hartwell in game three, but like Mar, he was saddled with foul trouble for most of the game.  What I did see was a guy who will allow Livingston II to not have to play 36+ minutes a night for the Patriots to win.

Jason Douglas-Stanley—JDS came to Mason with a reputation as a shooter and I saw nothing in Spain to change my mind.  Smooth stroke with the confidence of a player with more experience, Douglas-Stanley is going to push for minutes in the guard rotation just as Hartwell will at the point.   He handles the ball well enough to take guys off the bounce which will keep defenders honest if they try to crowd him off the three-point line.  Like Hartwell, JDS had some issues with the bigger, stronger opponents at times, but unless something changes he won't be seeing 25-30-year-old men during the A-10 season.

Jordan Miller—Used his length around the basket to grab rebounds in traffic.  I was impressed with his ability to run the floor in transition.  Miller probably played the least minutes of all the scholarship players which isn't a reflection of Miller's talents but more of the depth of the Patriots at the wing position (and this is even without Grayer in the mix on the trip).  I also love Miller being left handed with the ability to drive and pull up as well. 
 
Overall
Without trying to read too much into results, stats, etc. over three games in nine days in Spain this is easily the most talented and deepest team since Dave Paulsen took over the Patriots program.  Want to go big?  They could play Reuter and Calixte together for stretches and load the guards with Kier, Grayer and Mar.  How about some speed/ball handling to frustrate teams if they try to press?  Livingston II, Hartwell II, Kier would give opponents fits breaking the press and letting Wilson and Mar finish at the rim. 

Zone busters? Livingston II, Greene, Douglas-Stanley, and Grayer would be a nightmare to cover in a zone.  Need your guards to rebound? Boyd and Grayer fit the bill.  This team is deep, and the combinations are intriguing to say the least.  Otis shouldn't have to play 35 minutes a game.  The front court won't be manned by 3 freshman (last year Calixte, Wilson and Mar all played the 4/5) or forcing guys to play out of position.  The offense should be multi-dimensional with the ability to score at all three levels and the defense should be solid at every position.  It could be a special year in Fairfax. 

My last thought on the roster in regards of the Spain trip has zero to do with basketball.  On both the flight to Madrid and home from Barcelona the flight attendants commented to me how respectful and polite our players were.  I think this says as much about the culture head coach Dave Paulsen has put in place off the court as it does the success the Patriots are looking for on the court.  It's great to have success on the scoreboard but these players will be positive members of society and men we can all be proud of. 

2018-19 Men's Basketball Primer Archive
Oct. 4: NCAA.com Names Mason's Reuter Top-15 Impact Transfer
Oct. 2: Bolton, Kier Represent Mason at A-10 Leadership Summit
Sept. 27: Andy Katz Picks Mason as National Sleeper Team
Sept. 25: Men's Basketball Holds First Practice

About the Patriots
George Mason is the only team in the nation which returns 100 percent of its scoring output from the 2017-18 campaign. Mason welcomes back every student-athlete from a team that placed fifth in the Atlantic 10. That finish marked Mason's best in its five-year tenure in the league. The Patriots will be led by 2018 All-Atlantic 10 second team selection Otis Livingston II, who is one of just five Div. I players returning who has posted at least 1,400 points, 350 assists and 250 rebounds in a career.
 
In addition to welcoming back all five 2017-18 starters, the Patriots also will add former University of Virginia forward Jarred Reuter (Marion, Mass.), as well as a recruiting class that features guards Jason Douglas-Stanley (Mount Vernon, N.Y.), Jamal Hartwell II (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Jordan Miller (Middleburg, Va.).

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