Everyone knows the Roger Mason Jr. that can hit the 23-footer with a hand in his face. They know the player that hits 90 percent of his free throws every time he toes the line. They understand that he wants the ball in his hands with time running down and the game tied. But do they know who Roger Mason Jr. really is?
Do they know about the young man from Silver Spring, Md., who makes sure people say the "Jr." in his name to honor his late father? Do they know about the kid who grew up loving the Detroit Pistons while dreaming that one day he could be anything like the great Isaiah Thomas?
Mason, born Roger Phillip Mason Jr., found his love for the game earlier than most, in his grade school days. It was while playing AAU basketball one summer in middle school that the game of basketball took hold of Mason and never let go.
Then came high school, and the games didn't stop. During his freshman year, he embraced the fact that he could play big time college basketball.
Basketball "was year-round, because I played AAU and I played so much," Mason said. "Since I was in middle school playing AAU ball, I knew that I wanted to go play college ball, but it started to look more like a reality after my freshman year in high school."
Good Counsel was the school of choice for Mason, who transferred to the private school after his freshman year at Sidwell Friends. Year after year, Mason put out the big numbers as a Falcon. That translated into scholarship offers from anywhere Mason could want to play Division I basketball. Most people assumed he would head to Maryland. Most people assumed wrong.
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Mason spurned his home state's Terrapins for an experience he felt Maryland simply could not provide.
"I went to the school that I wanted to go to," Mason said. "Maryland offered me a scholarship. Both told me that I was their priority at shooting guard. I got scholarship offers. I made the choice that was best for me. Looking back, I am really happy with my decision."
Mason came to Virginia relatively unheralded. While his solid high school career was impressive, some weren't sure what to expect from the "college" Mason. He didn't disappoint, however, quickly becoming a standout student-athlete on and off the court. Mason, who says his game most resembles that of his favorite player, Ray Allen of the Milwaukee Bucks, maintained his strong work ethic and love for the sport after high school.
"All we do is play basketball," he said, with a determined look in his eye. "We play pickup games all the time when the season isn't going on. Basketball is such a big part of our lives, that, besides academics, there isn't much time for anything else. That's what it was in high school."
That's the Mason that most people don't know. The player who shoots at Slaughter or North Grounds when his team isn't playing pickup games in U-Hall. The player who would rather take 1,000 jumpshots than party all weekend.
This is the Roger Mason Jr. that takes tough losses "10 times harder than any fan out there could possibly take a loss." The young man who says months like February can be unbearably frustrating all because the team has hit a losing streak.
"He is such a good person, along with a good player," Virginia coach Pete Gillen said. "He works so hard throughout the year. He is a team player and the type of guy you love to have on the team."
As dedicated as Mason has been throughout his career, there is the question of whether Mason will spurn his senior year to test the waters in the NBA draft. When naming friends in the NBA, such as Rodney White, Demarr Johnson and Joe Forte, one is quick to notice that all of those names left their colleges early. It is only natural to wonder if NBA stardom could pull Mason from Virginia.
Wonder no more.
"I will be back in school next year," Mason said, after a period of leaving his decision open to question in the media. "I've really enjoyed playing the season with these guys and it hasn't panned out the way I wanted to this year. Getting my degree is important. Right now I would definitely be coming back to school."
That statement typifies Roger Mason Jr. He is a young man who understands exactly what his priorities are, and that translates into good news for Cavalier fans. Very good news, indeed.
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