Bobby Joe Mason(April 23, 1936 – July 4, 2006) was an American basketball player. He was anAll-Americancollege player atBradley Universityand gained worldwide fame as a member of theHarlem Globetrotters.
 Mason from the 1958Anaga | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 23, 1936 Centralia, Illinois |
| Died | July 4, 2006(aged 70) Springfield, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 165 lb (75 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Centralia(Centralia, Illinois) |
| College | Bradley(1956–1960) |
| NBA draft | 1960:6th round, 41st overall pick |
| Selected by theCincinnati Royals | |
| Playing career | 1962–1974 |
| Position | Guard/forward |
| Career history | |
| 1962–1974 | Harlem Globetrotters |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| StatsatBasketball Reference | |
Career
editMason was a three-sport star atCentralia High SchoolinCentralia, Illinois.He came toBradleyand, after losing nearly a season to academic eligibility issues,[1]became a prominent player and a part of twoNational Invitation Tournamentchampionships with the Braves. In 1958, he was named second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference,and was named to the first-team in 1959.[2]Following the season, he was drafted by theNational Basketball Association'sMinneapolis Lakers,but chose to return to Bradley to use the rest of his eligibility.
Mason played 18 games for the Braves in 1959–60, until his eligibility ran out upon graduation. He left the team prior to their run to the1960 NITchampionship.[3]Despite his abbreviated season, Mason was named a second-team All-American by theNational Association of Basketball Coachesalongside teammateChet Walker.[4]
He was again drafted in the1960 NBA draft,this time by theCincinnati Royals(sixth round, 41st pick), however he did not play in the NBA. He instead joined theHarlem Globetrotters,playing for the touring team from 1962 to 1974. In addition to earning captain honors, he was a cast member on the 1974 Saturday morning television seriesThe Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine.
Death
editMason died on July 4, 2006, at 70.[5]
References
edit- ^"Mason plans to rejoin Bradley team Monday".Shabokin News-Dispatch.5 February 1957. p. 6.RetrievedDecember 30,2014– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Bobby Joe Mason makes Missouri Valley All-Stars".Mt. Vernon Register-News.26 February 1959. p. 10.RetrievedDecember 30,2014– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Braves to lose services of Bobby Joe Mason in 2 weeks".Galesburg Register-Mail.19 January 1960. p. 10.RetrievedDecember 30,2014– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Oscar Robertson named top cager in nation".Ames Daily Tribune.9 March 1960. p. 6.RetrievedDecember 30,2014– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Bradley, Globetrotter Great Bobby Joe Mason Dies".Bradley Braves.July 5, 2006.RetrievedDecember 30,2014.