Former Knicks Standout Anthony Mason Passes Away

Former NBA star Anthony Mason died Saturday morning at the age of 48. Mason had a massive heart attack earlier in February after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

Drafted in the third round  by the Portland Trailblazers in 1988. Mason spent 13 seasons in the NBA, playing for six teams, including the Knicks, Hornets, and a season with the Miami Heat.

Mason’s path to the NBA was an unconvential one. He was waived by the Blazers shortly after being drafted. He ended up hooping overseas in Turkey and Venezuel,  before landing with the New Jersey Nets ( now Brooklyn.) He also played in the USBL and CBA.

In 1991, Mase and the Knicks came together, after he played on their summer league team. His blue collar, hard nose style of play was one of the key defining elements of New York Knicks basketball in the 90’s.

Mase was on a Knicks squad that included Patrick Ewing, John Starks and Charles Oakley. That team took the Houston Rockets to seven games in the 1994 finals.  Mason won “Sixth Man of the Year” in the 1994 -1995 season.

His oldest son, Anthony Jr. released a statement.

“First I want to thank all those who offered prayers and well-wishes for my Father, our family really appreciates it,” his son, Anthony Mason Jr., said Saturday. “Overnight, New York City and the world lost a legend, a friend, a brother … but more than anything our father, Anthony Mason. As you all would expect our father — Big Mase — put up an incredible fight, dealing with a severe heart issue. I’m wishing this was something else I was writing, but Pops we’ve got to let you know we love you and know you’ll always be with us.”

Mason is survived by his other son, Antoine Mason,  Anthony Jr.’s mother, Monica Bryant, and Antoine’s mother, Latifa Whitlock.