Remembering Anthony Mason: 1966-2015
- Jake C
- Dec 14, 2025
- 9 min read
Cover photo: Anthony Mason of the New York Knicks pushing the ball up the floor. Photo credit: Getty Images
An NBA legend was born 59 years ago today, Dec. 14.
Anthony Mason, a powerfully-built forward with ball handling and guard-like skills atypical of a player his size, was born in Miami but attended Queens’ Springfield Gardens High School.
At the HBCU Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tenn.), Mason played all four years from 1984-88. He averaged 18.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore, 18.8 points and 9.7 rebounds as a junior, and led the Ohio Valley Conference in points per game (28.0), rebounds per game (10.4), and minutes per game (38.0) as a senior. He played 111 college games, 33.6 minutes per game, and averaged 18.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
In the 1988 NBA Draft, Mason was drafted 53rd overall, in the third round, by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Mason played for Efes Pilsen of the Turkish pro league in 1988-89 before playing 21 games with the New Jersey Nets in 1989-90. During the 1990-91 season, he played for the Continental Basketball Association’s Tulsa Fast Breakers, the Denver Nuggets (three games), Marinos de Oreinte of the Venezuelan league, and the USBL’s Long Island Surf. With the Surf, Mason averaged 27.8 points and 11.2 rebounds per game.
In 1991, Mason signed with the New York Knicks, where he found a home for five seasons as a seamless fit under Pat Riley. Mason was a player who epitomized New York’s tenacity and toughness.
At 6 foot, 8 inches and 250 pounds, Mason was a sturdy and strong forward who was adept at handling the ball and uniquely gifted for a player of his size to play in the open court. He was an integral piece to Pat Riley’s contenders that made an NBA Finals’ run in 1994.
In 26.8 minutes per game in his first Knick season of 1991-92, Mason played in all 82 games and registered 7.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. He posted eight double-doubles (seven in the regular season) including consecutive games (Jan. 24 and 25) of 15 points and 11 rebounds and 15 points and 12 rebounds. On Dec. 2, 1991 against the Charlotte Hornets, he grabbed 15 rebounds to go along with 9 points in 35 minutes of action. On March 14, 1992 against his former team the Nets, he corralled 17 rebounds, 10 of which came on the defensive glass, in 32 minutes.
The next season, Mason played in 81 games, and saw an increase in minutes to 30.6 per game. His shots increased from 4.9 to 7.8, and he made 50.2% from the floor, posting 10.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He finished tied for second in Sixth Man of the Year voting with Danny Ainge, behind the winner Clifford Robinson. Mason put up 13 regular season double-doubles, and three in the postseason. He had his best game of the season on March 26, 1993 against the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 30 points (11-of-18 from the field and 8-of-11 from the line) with 16 rebounds (11 defensive) in 41 minutes. On Dec. 5, 1992, he posted 25 points (10-of-12) and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks, and had 25 and 10 again in Game 4 of the first round against the Indiana Pacers. On Feb. 8, 1993 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Mason posted 15 points (6-of-13), 18 rebounds, and 6 assists in 48 minutes off the bench in a 120-115 overtime win.
In 1993-94, Mason registered 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in 73 games, 12 starts in 26.1 minutes per game. The following season, 1994-95, he earned Sixth Man of the Year honors, playing 32.4 minutes per game in 77 games, 11 starts. He averaged 9.9 points (56.6% on 6.6 shots), 8.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Mason posted 14 double-doubles in the regular season. Major performances on the season included:
21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists - 01/06/95 at CLE
24 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists - 01/22/95 at MIA
22 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists - 02/16/95 at MIA
26 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists - 03/02/95 vs. CHI
Seven times during the regular season, he tallied 14 or more rebounds. His season-high of 19 came on Jan. 29, 1995 in a home game against the Phoenix Suns.
Mason had his best season to date in 1995-96, leading the entire NBA in minutes (42.2) and starting all 82 games. In those games, he averaged 14.6 points (56.3% on 9.7 shots), 9.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. Don Nelson coached the team to a 34-25 record before Jeff Van Gundy guided the team to a 13-10 mark. Mason tallied 31 regular-season double-doubles, and two in the postseason. Notable games included:
18 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists - 11/03/95 at DET
15 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists - 11/04/95 at MIL
20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists - 11/10/95 at WSB
20 points, 5 rebounds - 11/19/95 vs. VAN
18 points, 13 rebounds - 12/02/95 at PHI
19 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists - 12/03/95 vs. WSB
21 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists - 12/14/95 vs. DEN
30 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds (51 mins) - 12/29/95 at WSB
21 points, 13 rebounds - 01/10/96 at NJN
21 points, 10 rebounds - 01/12/96 at BOS
21 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists - 01/15/96 vs. MIL
21 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists - 02/01/96 vs. ORL
24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists - 02/21/96 at DET
24 points, 14 rebounds, 5 steals - 02/23/96 vs. ATL
23 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists - 02/26/96 at LAL
20 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists - 03/08/96 at PHI
18 points, 20 rebounds, 6 assists - 03/13/96 at MIN
18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists - 03/16/96 vs. PHI
23 points, 10 rebounds - 04/02/96 at IND
22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists - 04/03/96 vs. ORL
21 points, 10 rebounds - 04/09/96 vs. BOS
26 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals - 04/13/96 at MIA
25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists - 04/19/96 vs. CHA
25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists - 04/21/96 at BOS
23 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists - 04/27/96 G2 EC 1st round at CLE
18 points, 10 rebounds - 05/11/96 G3 ECSF vs. CHI
In 1996, Mason was traded to the Hornets for forward Larry Johnson. In his first season in Charlotte, Mason enjoyed the best season of his career. Leading the NBA in minutes (43.1) once again, Mason started 73 games and averaged 16.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. He was named to the All-NBA 3rd team and made All-Defensive 2nd team while finishing ninth in MVP voting on a Hornets’ team that won 54 games under Hall of Fame player Dave Cowens. Mason tallied 38 double-doubles and four triple-doubles. In the season opener against the Toronto Raptors, he shot 7-of-10 from the field and registered 18 points and 15 rebounds. He tallied at least 20 points three times in the season’s opening month, putting up 21 points (6-of-8 from the field, 9-of-15 from the line) and 12 rebounds on Nov. 9 against the Milwaukee Bucks. On Nov. 26 against the Seattle SuperSonics, he posted a triple-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in 40 minutes. From Dec. 6 to Dec. 17, he recorded seven consecutive double-doubles, headlined by 25 points (9-of-17), 21 rebounds, and 4 assists on Nov. 11 against the Denver Nuggets. On Jan. 6, 1997 against the Golden State Warriors, he tallied 27 points (7-of-16), 18 rebounds, and 6 assists in 44 minutes. Two nights later in Los Angeles, in 44 minutes again, he posted 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists. His line on Jan. 24 against the Knicks was 17 points, 18 rebounds, and 6 assists, and on Feb. 17 he scored a season-high 28 points (11-of-11 from the field, 6-of-7 from the line) with 12 rebounds and 9 assists against the Magic. On Feb. 22 at the Dallas Mavericks, he recorded 15 points, 22 rebounds, and 10 assists, while he posted two consecutive triple-doubles on March 4 and March 6 - 19 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists, and 19 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists. In each of the Hornets’ three first-round games against the Knicks, he recorded a double-double.
In the 1997-98 season, Mason played 81 games, starting 80, and in 38.9 minutes per game averaged 12.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Because of a ruptured right bicep, he missed the 1998-99 season. In his last season in Charlotte, 1999-00, he averaged 11.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 81 starts, 38.2 minutes per game.
On Aug. 1, 2000, Mason was traded to the Heat in a nine-player deal that also brought guard Eddie Jones to Miami and sent forwards P.J. Brown and Jamal Mashburn to Charlotte. In his lone Miami season, Mason played 80 games, 40.7 minutes per game, and made the All-Star team for the first time in his career, with averages of 16.1 points (48.2% on 11.9 shots), 9.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. Mason tallied 36 regular season double-doubles. Some of his top games included:
20 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists - 11/15/00 at NJN
19 points, 18 rebounds - 11/29/00 at NYK
22 points, 9 rebounds - 12/01/00 vs. UTAH
24 points, 16 rebounds - 12/13/00 at LAC
20 points, 11 rebounds - 12/19/00 vs. LAL
19 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists - 12/29/00 vs. WAS
20 points, 10 assists - 12/30/00 at DET
18 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists - 01/04/00 vs. NJN
24 points, 10 rebounds - 01/08/01 vs. GSW
24 points, 11 rebounds - 01/13/01 at IND
19 points, 10 rebounds - 01/14/01 at MIA
23 points, 18 rebounds - 01/16/01 vs. DET
23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists - 01/21/01 at LAL
21 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals - 02/04/01 vs. NYK
29 points, 8 rebounds - 02/06/01 vs. IND
21 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists - 02/13/01 vs. LAC
20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists - 02/27/01 vs. WAS
In the final six weeks of the season, Mason tallied 12 double-doubles. From March 1-9, he posted five consecutive double-doubles, which included games of 14 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 assists, 23 points and 10 rebounds, 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists, 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists, and 22 points and 10 rebounds. On March 14 against the Sacramento Kings, he posted 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists, and on March 27 put up 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists against the Raptors. Two nights later at the Bucks, he put up a near triple-double of 18 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds. On March 31 at the Bulls, he posted 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. In the final month of the season, he tallied games of 22 points and 7 rebounds (Hornets), 16 points and 16 rebounds (76ers), 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists (Celtics), and 20 points and 10 rebounds (Magic).
Mason played two more seasons, both with the Bucks, and started 140 of 147 games played. In 2001-02, he averaged 9.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 38.3 minutes per game. In 2002-03, he averaged 7.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game in 32.6 minutes per game.
Over 882 games in 13 NBA seasons, Mason averaged 10.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 34.7 minutes per game. Other than his All-Star campaign in Miami, his best seasons came as a Hornet, where he averaged 13.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game in 39.9 minutes per game in 236 games, 234 of which were starts.
On Feb. 28, 2015, Mason passed away due to heart failure at the age of 48. One of his sons, Antoine, is a current professional basketball player with the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans of the BSL Canada and was the NBL’s Canada’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2017. The younger Mason, a 6 foot, 2 inch guard, played collegiately at Niagara University and Auburn University. He was named to the MAAC All-Rookie team in 2012 and was 1st team All-MAAC in 2013 and 2014. Anthony’s older son, Anthony Mason Jr., played at St. John’s University from 2005-2010 and played for the NBA G-League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce and in Sicily, Venezuela, and Cyprus.
Anthony Mason is best remembered for his time as a Knick, where he represented the Riley brand of basketball and the blue-collar attitude of the city. In the prime of his career, he was a special player who was one of the lynchpins in a special era of New York Knick basketball, then was able to flourish elsewhere too with more opportunity.
“We had a great season in Miami experiencing Anthony as an All-Star with the Heat, and I also had the privilege of coaching him for four years in New York, where he helped take us to the brink of a championship,” Riley said of Mason in 2015.
A player with Anthony Mason’s build should not have been able to do the things that he was able to, but he was a special talent who had the ability to do things that forwards at the time could not. Making the All-Star team at the age of 34 with injuries having preceded him was proof of his athletic and basketball gifts.
On his birthday, we remember “Mase”.
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