ANTHONY MASON Anthony George Douglas Mason was born in Miami, Florida, December 14, 1966, but spent most of his childhood in Queens, New York. He attended nearby Springfield Gardens High School and became an instant sensation, earning PSAL All-City honors. Mason accepted a college scholarship to Tennessee State University where he had an outstanding collegiate career drawing the attention of NBA scouts. The 6'8" 250 lb. power forward was a ferocious, physical rebounder, who had a nice shooting touch, could also put the ball on the floor, and passed well. That kind of strength, combined with those refined basketball skills, could get a player drafted into the NBA! The Portland Trailblazers chose him in the 3rd round of the 1988 draft, but were not happy enough to keep him. He played in Turkey, a season with the Nets, a season with Denver, a season in Venezuela, and one with the Long Island Surf, before coming home to play 5 seasons with the NY Knicks. His 13 years in the NBA included the New Jersey Nets, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Miami Heat averaging 10.8 points and 8.3 in his career. Mason won the NBA 6th Man of the Year Award in 1995 and led the NBA in minutes played in the following two seasons. In 1997, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. He was selected to the 2001 NBA All-Star Game. Mason was a member of the 1993–94 New York Knicks team that reached the NBA Finals. He was a beloved fan favorite, and was himself blessed to play so successfully in front of his hometown NYC crowd! Anthony Mason had a heart attack in early February 2015 and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He died soon after on February 28, 2015, in New York City at the age of 48. RIP Anthony Mason. A NY Knick to remember during this time!