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Q&A: Nate Mason Discusses Gophers Commitment, Coach Pitino, Josh Martin and More
By Chris Monter
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/303437?referrer_id=388419
Nate Mason, a 5-11 point guard who played for the CP3 All Stars AAU program, has become the second player to commit to new head coach Richard Pitino and the Minnesota Golden Gopher program. Gopher Hole caught up with Mason to learn the latest on his decision.
Mason led CP3 to a 20-5 mark in the tough EYBL and averaged 12.7 points per game. They finished runner-up in the talented Peach Jam.
Gopher Hole: What was the main reason that you decided to commit to Minnesota yesterday?
Nate Mason: I just felt comfortable with the coaches. I felt that it was the best choice for me.
Gopher Hole: You visited Minnesota recently. How was the visit?
Nate Mason: The visit was good. I got to the practice, a scrimmage and everything else. I didn't get to see a football game, but I did see a scrimmage and practice.
Gopher Hole: You were up in Minnesota in May for the EYBL. Did you get a chance to see much when you were here or were you just so busy playing basketball?
Nate Mason: We were just playing basketball. We didn't do anything besides the Mall of America.
Gopher Hole: Coach Pitino is entering his first year at Minnesota and wants to have an up-tempo team that relies on strong guard play. Is that something that you feel is a great fit for you?
Nate Mason: Yes. I feel that is the best fit for me. That is why I committed.
Gopher Hole: Do you know the other Gopher commit Josh Martin? He also played on the EYBL circuit.
Nate Mason: No, I don't. I didn't know that he played EYBL.
Gopher Hole: Have you ever talked to him at all?
Nate Mason: I have been talking to him since yesterday.
Gopher Hole: Have you ever seen him play?
Nate Mason: No, but I watched some of his highlights, though.
Gopher Hole: Does he seem like the kind of big man you like to play with?
Nate Mason: Yes.
Gopher Hole: Montrose Christian has a reputation as one of the top prep schools in the country. They not only play a great schedules, but you are always going to practice against good players that are going to play college basketball. How much do you think is going to help you improve as a player?
Nate Mason: Tremendously. It will help me improve tremendously.
Gopher Hole: What are the expectations for your team?
Nate Mason: We are trying to get a national championship. That is what we want.
Gopher Hole: When is your first game?
Nate Mason: I don't really know because I am not officially enrolled in the school yet.
Gopher Hole: When will you be enrolling?
Nate Mason: I will probably enroll Monday.
Gopher Hole: Where have you been so far?
Nate Mason: I am in Georgia right now.
Gopher Hole: What was the main reason you decided to switch schools?
Nate Mason: Better competition, really, to prepare me for college.
Gopher Hole: What do you see as your strengths as a point guard?
Nate Mason: Scorer. Leader. Defender and just a winner.
Gopher Hole: What things are you working on, like any player, to continue to improve to be ready to play at that next level?
Nate Mason: Creating shots in traffic. Defending. Getting stronger. Quicker. More explosive, really.
Gopher Hole: You were down to Minnesota, Virginia, Kansas State and Memphis when you committed. How hard was to say no to those schools?
Nate Mason: It was very hard. It was very hard, but I weighed out my options and Minnesota was the best fit for me.
Gopher Hole: Will you try and get up to a basketball game this year?
Nate Mason: Yes, maybe so. Probably so. I'll try to catch a game.
Gopher Hole: Minnesota had Reid Travis visiting this weekend. You played against him and Howard Pulley at the Peach Jam. You beat them 90-73 as you had 19 points and six assists. Travis was eight of 11 from the field and had 18 points. Do you remember him at all?
Nate Mason: Yes
Gopher Hole: What were your impressions of him if he were to join Minnesota and commit also?
Nate Mason: We need him. We need him bad. You might as well come and join the Gophers.
By Chris Monter
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/303437?referrer_id=388419
Nate Mason, a 5-11 point guard who played for the CP3 All Stars AAU program, has become the second player to commit to new head coach Richard Pitino and the Minnesota Golden Gopher program. Gopher Hole caught up with Mason to learn the latest on his decision.
Mason led CP3 to a 20-5 mark in the tough EYBL and averaged 12.7 points per game. They finished runner-up in the talented Peach Jam.
Gopher Hole: What was the main reason that you decided to commit to Minnesota yesterday?
Nate Mason: I just felt comfortable with the coaches. I felt that it was the best choice for me.
Gopher Hole: You visited Minnesota recently. How was the visit?
Nate Mason: The visit was good. I got to the practice, a scrimmage and everything else. I didn't get to see a football game, but I did see a scrimmage and practice.
Gopher Hole: You were up in Minnesota in May for the EYBL. Did you get a chance to see much when you were here or were you just so busy playing basketball?
Nate Mason: We were just playing basketball. We didn't do anything besides the Mall of America.
Gopher Hole: Coach Pitino is entering his first year at Minnesota and wants to have an up-tempo team that relies on strong guard play. Is that something that you feel is a great fit for you?
Nate Mason: Yes. I feel that is the best fit for me. That is why I committed.
Gopher Hole: Do you know the other Gopher commit Josh Martin? He also played on the EYBL circuit.
Nate Mason: No, I don't. I didn't know that he played EYBL.
Gopher Hole: Have you ever talked to him at all?
Nate Mason: I have been talking to him since yesterday.
Gopher Hole: Have you ever seen him play?
Nate Mason: No, but I watched some of his highlights, though.
Gopher Hole: Does he seem like the kind of big man you like to play with?
Nate Mason: Yes.
Gopher Hole: Montrose Christian has a reputation as one of the top prep schools in the country. They not only play a great schedules, but you are always going to practice against good players that are going to play college basketball. How much do you think is going to help you improve as a player?
Nate Mason: Tremendously. It will help me improve tremendously.
Gopher Hole: What are the expectations for your team?
Nate Mason: We are trying to get a national championship. That is what we want.
Gopher Hole: When is your first game?
Nate Mason: I don't really know because I am not officially enrolled in the school yet.
Gopher Hole: When will you be enrolling?
Nate Mason: I will probably enroll Monday.
Gopher Hole: Where have you been so far?
Nate Mason: I am in Georgia right now.
Gopher Hole: What was the main reason you decided to switch schools?
Nate Mason: Better competition, really, to prepare me for college.
Gopher Hole: What do you see as your strengths as a point guard?
Nate Mason: Scorer. Leader. Defender and just a winner.
Gopher Hole: What things are you working on, like any player, to continue to improve to be ready to play at that next level?
Nate Mason: Creating shots in traffic. Defending. Getting stronger. Quicker. More explosive, really.
Gopher Hole: You were down to Minnesota, Virginia, Kansas State and Memphis when you committed. How hard was to say no to those schools?
Nate Mason: It was very hard. It was very hard, but I weighed out my options and Minnesota was the best fit for me.
Gopher Hole: Will you try and get up to a basketball game this year?
Nate Mason: Yes, maybe so. Probably so. I'll try to catch a game.
Gopher Hole: Minnesota had Reid Travis visiting this weekend. You played against him and Howard Pulley at the Peach Jam. You beat them 90-73 as you had 19 points and six assists. Travis was eight of 11 from the field and had 18 points. Do you remember him at all?
Nate Mason: Yes
Gopher Hole: What were your impressions of him if he were to join Minnesota and commit also?
Nate Mason: We need him. We need him bad. You might as well come and join the Gophers.
