Just when the waters of the Virginia basketball world seemed to settle down, the Cavaliers took another hit. The pain of missed potential was beginning to ease and the Cavalier community was feeling able to cut their losses and look toward next year. But yesterday, junior guard Roger Mason Jr. - the crown jewel of the Virginia program - announced he will enter the NBA draft, a decision Virginia fans recognized as a possibility for several weeks.
"Today I have submitted my name for consideration for the 2002 NBA draft," Mason said in a statement. "This decision was based on information suggesting that now is the optimal time for me to begin pursuing my chosen profession."
Mason will be eligible to return to Virginia if he does not retain an agent and withdraws his name from consideration by June 19, one week before the draft.
So there is to be a bittersweet taste left in the mouths of Virginia fans. They are left with pride in the player who now looks to confront the next challenge, mixed with a wish he would stay to ground the Cavalier squad for another season. Though it surely presented a difficult decision, Mason expressed confidence in his choice.
"I feel confident in my ability to play at the next level and I look forward to the challenges ahead," Mason said.
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During the 2001-02 season, Mason proved indispensable to the Cavaliers, leading his team in scoring (18.6 points per game), assists (4.1 assists per game), free throw percentage (88 percent), field goals made (162) and three point field goals made (81). Yet Virginia still struggled and, according to many fans, failed to meet their lofty potential. Mason's loss will pose another challenge for the remaining players to overcome as they look to rally for next season.
"Roger is a great player and we really appreciate all he's done for the University of Virginia the past three years," Virginia coach Pete Gillen said after learning of Mason's decision. While he surely will miss Mason's talent and drive just as much, if not more, than any Virginia fan, Gillen also spoke for the University when he stressed that "we want what is best for Roger Mason Jr"
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