Ticket Returns for His 5th Season!

By Palmer Johnson

Ticket is Back!

Ticket Gaines has been one of the most entertaining players to watch during his two seasons at Mason. He’s everything you want in your wing, the epitome of a glue guy. At least once a game, somebody would miss a shot, Ticket would snatch the offensive rebound out of the air with four opponents surrounding him, and then proceed to pass it to someone for an easy basket, causing the crowd to erupt.

After two years at Tennessee and two years at Mason, Ticket had what could have been his last home game in Fairfax. Mason Nation knew that he could come back for a fifth season using his COVID year, which would grant him another year of eligibility. As Ticket walked across the court to get his framed jersey, he was met with “ONE MORE YEAR!” chants, which included the fans, players, and even coach English.

Mason beat Fordham that night in a gritty overtime game. The game was closer to rugby than basketball and Ticket was a huge part of that. Even though the offense wasn’t clicking like you would hope, he was holding it down on defense and making sure Fordham’s offense couldn’t get anything easy.

After the game, Ticket was once again met with “ONE MORE YEAR” chants. Mason Nation wanted to let him know how much he was appreciated.

The next morning, this was tweeted out.

Wait …? I have another year to play ? 😱

— Ticket “Hollywood” Gaines (@TheRealTick3t) March 2, 2023

Mason fans were elated, he’s coming back. He wouldn’t say this if he wasn’t coming back, right?

Eleven days later, he tweeted this out.

4 years flew by man 🥺

— Ticket “Hollywood” Gaines (@TheRealTick3t) March 13, 2023

Nothing out of the ordinary, just him commenting on how fast these past four years have gone by. But then we saw an ominous reply.

pic.twitter.com/7BhIt95oqc

— Ticket “Hollywood” Gaines (@TheRealTick3t) March 13, 2023

This was worrying. In everyone’s minds, Ticket had been penciled in as coming back. But saying “Please forgive me” to someone who said “One more!”, that was worrying. Did he change his mind?

The next day, we got this.

MASON NATION STAND UP FOR THE BIG TICKET https://t.co/vlRSLkF1Q6

— GMU Giant Killer (@GMUGiantKiller) March 14, 2023

He’s back.