Happy Hump Day! The I-95 corridor towards Fairfax will be a little bit busier than usual late this summer (I know I know, that doesn’t seem possible, but just go with it).

The buzz is picking up around the Patriots and new faces are pouring in to join the Green and Gold. Two more joined Mason Nation this week and plenty more are on the way.

What else is stirring in today’s edition of the Brew? Check it out for yourself!

🏀 Lucky No. 7
🥍 Sister Act
⭐️ Crunch Time For The Blitz
​⭐ And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Lucky Number Seven. Summer workouts are underway, but Coach Skinn wasn’t done his roster as he added his seventh transfer to the 2023-24 roster.

And this one, he’s a big one.

6-8 forward Jalen Haynes from ETSU signed on to join the Patriots this upcoming season after averaging 14.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and shooting 57.5 percent as a sophomore with the Bucs last year.

An All-SoCon selection for the Buccaneers as a sophomore, Haynes led the team in field goals made (176) and free throws made (111) while ranking second on the team in scoring and rebounding (6.4 rpg). He started 30 of 31 games and dished out 1.5 assists per contest.

"Jalen's a big, physical, scoring combo forward," Skinn said. "When you look at his numbers in a good league, he's been very productive. He's a skilled big - not just a back to the basket guy. He can put it on the deck and will give us the ability to spread out offensively, with him at the five or the four. With his girth, versatility and skill set, he has the potential to develop into an All-Atlantic 10 player at George Mason."

🔼 Sister Act. No we’re not talking about the 1990s film from Whoppi Goldberg. We’re talking about the 2023-2024 Mason lacrosse team who added a new, but familiar face to its roster for the upcoming year.

Twin sister of rising sophomore Kaitlyn Bestick, Regan Bestick signed on to join the Patriots next year after playing her first year with Atlantic 10 rival Saint Joseph’s.

Bestick, who will battle for a spot in goal, is a local product out of Fredericksburg, Va., Bestick graduated from Chancellor after excelling as a multi-sport athlete and in the classroom. Along with lacrosse, Bestick played field hockey, softball and basketball, earning First Team All-State honors, twice First Team All-Area, a three-time First Team All-Region and All-District selection as a field hockey goalie. She also earned All-District First Team honors on the diamond.

During her freshman year at Saint Joseph's, the goalkeeper appeared in three Atlantic 10 contests, making one save in each.

🔼 Five For Fighting. Coming to a court near you are five new Patriots that have signed on to join the women’s tennis program in 2023-2024.

Including in the group are Ruju Chauhan, and four freshmen, including two Virginia natives Lakshya Motam and Alisa Orsinger, as well as Cena Liu and Brooklyn Siegel.

🔼 Miller Time. Former Patriot Jordan Miller is taking his talents to the NBA as the former Mason star was selected in the second round by the Los Angeles Clippers.

Miller, who spent the final two seasons of his collegiate career at Miami, was as versatile as they come, creating matchup nightmares for opponents.

During his two-plus seasons in Fairfax, Miller averaged 13.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He played in 69 games and started 66 of those contests.

🤔 PATRIOT TRIVIA

The Third Musketeer. In 2004-05, current head coach Tony Skinn and current staff member Lamar Butler, both earned All-CAA honors.

The rumor has it, the duo helped the Patriots to some Final Four thing the next season, we’ll have to look into that.

But anyway, during that 2004-05, one of Skinn and Butler’s teammates also earned All-CAA accolades. That teammate earned All-recognition three times in his career.

Name… That… Patriot.

Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

🌠 FINAL PUSH: WE’RE CALLING THE BLITZ

Don’t forget Patriots, there are only a few days left in the 2023 Mason Blitz Week Challenge.

As our fiscal year ends, all of Mason Nation can get in on the competition to unlock challenge dollars for their favorite Mason team. YOU CAN HELP our 22 teams FINISH STRONG.

Your support can help enhance not only team success but the overall college experience for student-athletes. No one understands the benefits more than you as an alumni-athlete. This challenge will end on June 30, 2023, so give today and support your sport!

IT'S GAME TIME! Get involved, tell your teammates, & donate today!

📬 STICK WITH US

Did someone send you the Patriot Brew? Well, the first thing you should do is thank them. The next thing you should do is subscribe here and get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning just in time for your first cup of coffee!

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Of course its Jai Lewis!

Jai was a force to be reckon with during his Mason career. During the aforementioned 2004-05 season, Lewis and Butler both earned Second Team honors, while Skinn was named to the Third Team.

The following year led to the run of a lifetime.

Have a great Wednesday y’all!