May 28, 2008

QUEENS, N.Y. - After visiting the St. John's University campus as a recruit in high school, the Memphis, Tenn., native, Anthony Mason Jr. was convinced New York was where he needed to be. Despite the fact that Mason Jr.'s father, Anthony Mason Sr., attended Springfield Gardens High School in Queens with head coach Norm Roberts, it was not the only factor on Mason Jr.'s choice of college. Instead, Mason Jr. chose St. John's for the overall atmosphere.

"My recruiting visit is probably why I chose St. John's,'' said Mason Jr. "I loved the family environment and I liked the staff. Overall, I just had fun."

In his first two seasons, Mason Jr. was able to make an immediate impact for the Red Storm. Starting as a freshman, he scored in double-figures in nine games and hit 28 3-pointers. As a sophomore, he was second on the team in scoring with 11.9 points per game and second in rebounding at 5.9 boards per game. The fourth-year swingman will be an integral part of the success of the Red Storm in the coming season.

"My biggest strength is my versatility," said Mason Jr. "I have the ability to play inside and out. I can rebound and I can push the ball up the floor. I can drive and create for others and do so much more. My jump shot is much more consistent."

During his junior season, Mason Jr. struggled with several bouts of an ankle injury, but he didn't let it keep him down. Mason returned to the court in November after a preseason ankle sprain, only to be on the sidelines for the next two games.

"My injury held me back when I was just ready to get into the flow of the games," added Mason Jr. "Injuries happen. It threw me off, but I worked to get my speed up. My teammates never let up on me at practice and they never let me down."

In the midst of BIG EAST play in late January, Mason Jr. had his most impressive games. He posted back-to-back 29-point games against conference foes Pittsburgh and Louisville. Mason Jr. earned BIG EAST and MBWA weekly honors for his outstanding performances.

"I just go out and try my best, looking for a victory," said Mason Jr. "I'm just trying to do the best for my team and my teammates. I want to win. I go out, play hard and leave everything on the court." In the peak of the season, his ankle appeared to be healed and Mason Jr. had really hit his stride, providing needed leadership on a team with eight freshmen. However, injury wasn't out of his system yet, as he missed another three games in February with an ankle contusion. Mason Jr. returned to the Red Storm as strong as ever as they entered the final stretch of the season.

"I've learned that there is no success without hard work. I am ready to work hard and do whatever it takes for my team to be successful." Anthony Mason Jr.

Over the course of the year, Mason Jr. led the Red Storm in scoring 13 times, including four games with 20 points or more. Against Louisville in January, he hit seven 3-pointers en route to his second consecutive 29-point effort. In a battle with Seton Hall in March, Mason Jr. led a surge in the second half to overcome a resilient Pirate squad. He knocked down five 3-pointers in the second half, with four of those coming in the final five minutes. He secured the win with his final attempt from beyond the arc with two seconds remaining, lifting the Red Storm over Seton Hall, 65-62.

"My favorite game was against Seton Hall," added Mason Jr. "It was one of the best games of my life. I hit those 3s back-to-back. The crowd was into it and it was just an awesome atmosphere to play in. I was just caught up in the moment and we played a great game."

After several solid offensive efforts on the court, Mason Jr. garnered multiple accolades in the postseason. He was honored by the BIG EAST Conference with an honorable mention selection and by the MBWA as an All-Met honoree as he scored in double-figures in 17 of his 21 games.

Roberts has seen Mason Jr. fill his leadership role as a captain this past season and make vast improvements since his arrival at St. John's.

"Mase has made great strides in becoming a leader," said Roberts. "He has been a lot more vocal and I look forward to him having a great senior year."

"It means a lot to me when people look up to me and consider me a leader," said Mason Jr. "Coach has always told me that I needed to be more of a leader and I showed that I am capable of it. The team is young, so I try to tell them that everything will be fine and that we will get through it. I try to keep their heads up and never give negative criticism. So, now it's time to step it up for next season."

Essential to the success of Mason Jr. on the court has been the firm support of his family. Though his father was a NBA star, his mother has been a driving force in his basketball career, always providing a push in the right direction.

"My mother and family have influenced me the most along the way," said Mason Jr. "She was always pushing me to play and go work on my game. She always wanted me to be lifting weights and shooting. I talk to her before and after every game. She was always at every high school and AAU game I ever played in when I was younger."

As Mason Jr. and the Red Storm gear up for the 2008-09 season, they are joined by two highly-anticipated recruits. St. John's began last season with a young team, including eight freshmen.

"We have two talented recruits for next year," said Mason Jr. "We lost two players, but we have to move on. We are the same core team. Our freshman class will be sophomores and we are all working hard on our individual play."

"I've learned that there is no success without hard work," said Mason Jr. "I am ready to work hard and do whatever it takes for my team to be successful."