Mason men's basketball

Patriot Pop Quiz: Olympic basketball

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 16:22:29 +0000

Patriot Pop Quiz: Olympic basketball Lauren Reuscher Thu, 08/01/2024 - 12:22

Think you know a lot about ��ӽ紫ý? Let’s find out if we can stump you with this Patriot Pop Quiz.

Question:

Who was the first ��ӽ紫ý men’s basketball player to participate in the Olympics?

Illustration by Getty

Answer: Tony Skinn, BA Communication '06, head coach for ��ӽ紫ý men’s basketball.

Tony Skinn, now the head coach for ��ӽ紫ý men's basketball, played in the London 2012 Olympics for the Nigerian team. Photo by Alamy

In 2012, Skinn was a member of the Nigerian national team that qualified for the Olympics in London. At the games, Skinn and Nigeria won their first Olympic preliminary round game, defeating Tunisia, 60–56, before finishing 10th in the tournament. Read a Q&A with Skinn leading up to his time at the Olympics.

At ��ӽ紫ý, Skinn was a starter on the 2006 ��ӽ紫ý Final Four team and one of the best all-around guards in program history. He returned to his alma mater as head coach in 2023.

"It's a good feeling because you represent more than just basketball," Skinn said of playing at the Olympics in 2012. "Our team gave millions of people a chance to root for something." Photo by Alamy

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Mason formally welcomes new men’s basketball coach Tony Skinn

Colleen Rich — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 20:31:40 +0000

Mason formally welcomes new men’s basketball coach Tony Skinn Colleen Rich Mon, 04/10/2023 - 16:31

The storied past of the ��ӽ紫ý men’s basketball program and its promising future came together with the formal introduction of Tony Skinn as the Patriots’ next head coach.

The former standout point guard played a key role on the Patriots’ magical ride to the 2006 Final Four, and that mythical pedigree served as the unofficial backdrop as Skinn was formally welcomed as the school’s 12th head coach during Monday’s introductory event at EagleBank Arena.

Tony Skinn, now coach of the Mason Patriots' mens basketball team, during the exhilarating 2006 championship season.

“Who better?” asked Mason President Gregory Washington. “Who better than an all-conference basketball player? Who better than an Olympian? Who better than someone who has come up the ranks as an assistant coach at some of the finest basketball programs in our country? Who better than somebody who bleeds green and gold and was responsible for that [2006 Final Four] banner?”

Skinn, who succeeds Kim English, said it was a “dream come true” to come back to the place where he helped Mason permanently etch its name into college basketball lore and made lasting friendships among teammates and classmates that remain strong even today. Skinn and his wife, Weyni, met at Mason and are now parents to three children.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling right now,” he said of coming home to his alma mater. “The times that I had at ��ӽ紫ý were among the best moments of my life. So it’s really incredible to see it come full circle. It’s truly remarkable and words can’t really describe it.”

Interim Athletic Director Nena Rogers and University President Gregory Washington stand with new men's basketball coach Tony Skinn at the April 11th welcome event.
Photo credit: Mason Athletics

A first-time head coach, Skinn promised to play fast and spoke of the four pillars of attitude, commitment, class and family upon which he intended to build his program. He listed recruiting the talent-rich Washington, D.C., area, competing for Atlantic 10 Conference championships, winning NCAA Tournament games and successfully mentoring young men as his primary objectives.

“Winning is not easy,” he said, “but the formula to winning is clear.”

Five members of that Mason 2006 team were among the 200 or so people on hand to proudly welcome back one of their own.

“He’s likeable and connects with guys,” said Lamar Butler, a member of the 2006 team who will serve as a member of Skinn’s basketball staff. “Tony was always like that. He always brought out the best in you as a competitor. It’s just that he’s doing it now as a coach.”

A Hyattsville, Maryland, native with deep ties to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, Skinn spent a combined eight years in assistant coach roles at Ohio State, Seton Hall and Louisiana Tech.

Most recently, he served on Kevin Willard’s staff at Maryland, helping the Terps to a 22-13 record this past season that included a first-round NCAA Tournament win over West Virginia.

Skinn’s former college coach, current University of Miami coach Jim Larrañaga, predicted that his former floor general will “lead the ��ӽ紫ý Patriots to new heights.”

“He’s a tremendous young man, a tremendous coach,” Larrañaga said in a video tribute, “and he’s going to be a great head coach.”

A two-time All-CAA selection with Mason from 2003-2006, Skinn totaled nearly 1,100 points while starting 68 games in his ��ӽ紫ý basketball career. During the memorable 2006 Tournament run, he averaged 11.3 points per game while shooting 35 percent from bonus range to lead the underdog and 11th-seeded Patriots past college basketball bluebloods North Carolina, Michigan State, and Connecticut and into the Final Four.

Skinn played professionally in Europe for a number of years following graduation, and took part in the 2012 London Olympics as a member of the Nigerian National Team.

“We have all the pieces in place to make the month of March exciting again,” Mason interim athletics director Nena Rogers said.

Skinn was already anticipating meeting with all of his players following the day’s public events and sounded very much like a guy who couldn’t wait to get started.

“I haven’t been this excited to take on something since I was a basketball player,” he said.

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Learn more about Mason hoops

Patriot Pop Quiz: Olympic basketball
August 2, 2024
Mason formally welcomes new men’s basketball coach Tony Skinn
April 10, 2023
��ӽ紫ý Selects Tony Skinn to Lead Men’s Basketball Program
March 30, 2023
National Search Underway for ��ӽ紫ý Men’s Basketball Coach
March 23, 2023
Fired up for Homecoming 2023
February 20, 2023

��ӽ紫ý Selects Tony Skinn to Lead Men’s Basketball Program

Jeannine Harvey — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 14:15:41 +0000

��ӽ紫ý Selects Tony Skinn to Lead Men’s Basketball Program Jeannine Harvey Thu, 03/30/2023 - 10:15

Media Contact:

Mark LaFrance

508-577-7282

mlafran@gmu.edu

FAIRFAX, Va. – ��ӽ紫ý President Gregory Washington and Interim Director of Athletics Nena Rogers have named Tony Skinn as the 12^th head coach in the men’s basketball program’s history.

A key starter on the 2006 ��ӽ紫ý Final Four team and one of the best all-around guards in program history, Skinn returns to his alma mater after nearly a decade of collegiate coaching.

During that decorated coaching career, he’s guided three different programs to the NCAA Tournament, been a part of six 20+ win campaigns, and established himself as a stout recruiter both within the talent-rich DMV and across the country.

“Tony Skinn is the right man for this moment in Mason’s basketball program,” Washington said. “His coaching style will galvanize our student-athletes and his connection to our finest hour on the court is sure to electrify our alumni and fans. Let the Tony Skinn era begin!”

A two-time All-CAA selection with the Patriots from 2003-06, Skinn scored 1,079 career points while starting 68 games in his ��ӽ紫ý career. During the 2006 NCAA Tournament, he averaged 11.3 points and shot 35 percent from 3-point range while leading the Patriots to the national semifinals.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tony and his family back to ��ӽ紫ý,” Rogers said. “I had the pleasure of working with Tony during his time as a student-athlete and I’m so proud of his growth personally and professionally. We all look back with reverence at 2006, and I am confident Tony will bring the same competitive drive and fire in leading our program as he did as our starting point guard. An elite recruiter, he is well-connected and well-respected, and he will play an integral role in identifying and securing talented student-athletes to represent our university. I share in the excitement of Mason Nation as we begin a new era of ��ӽ紫ý Basketball.”

Most recently, Skinn served on Kevin Willard’s staff at the University of Maryland, where in 2022-23, he helped lead the Terps to a 22-13 record and an NCAA Tournament victory over West Virginia.

“It is with great excitement that I return home to ��ӽ紫ý,” Skinn said. “I’d like to thank Dr. Washington and Nena Rogers for this tremendous opportunity and for believing in my vision. I am committed to greatness! We will set our standards high, hustle every step of the way and compete amongst the best. It’s an unbelievable feeling to step back on campus. I’ve had some of my greatest memories here and I’m looking forward to making new ones with our fans and our community. Our best days are ahead! Mason Nation, I missed you and I am honored to represent you.”

Prior to Maryland, Skinn served with Chris Holtmann at Ohio State in 2021-22. During his time with the Buckeyes, he worked closely with Big Ten Freshman of the Year Malaki Branham, who averaged 13.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting over 49 percent from the floor. He was one of just five freshmen nationally and one of only two from a Power 5 school to have multiple 30-point games this season, and both of his came on the road. Skinn was also in charge of scouting personnel in Columbus.

Skinn and the Buckeyes won 20 games and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.

In his three seasons at Seton Hall, Skinn coached the guards and helped Quincy McKnight become one of the best point guards in the Big East. He also played an influential role in the development of 2020 BIG EAST Player of the Year Myles Powell. Skinn was part of the Pirates' program-record fourth-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019. The Pirates also won a BIG EAST regular-season title in 2020 and were on track for another NCAA Tournament bid prior to the COVID-19 cancellation.

Prior to joining Seton Hall, Skinn had a successful three-year run as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech, as the Bulldogs won 63 games during his tenure, including back-to-back 23-win seasons and a pair of top-four finishes in Conference USA. In three seasons with Skinn's aid, Louisiana Tech student-athletes garnered five All-Conference USA selections and three Conference USA All-Freshmen picks. Skinn was instrumental in the development of point guard DaQuan Bracey, who set a Louisiana Tech and Conference USA record for most assists by a rookie (193) in 2016-17 en route to Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors. Bracey also finished the season with the sixth-best assist/turnover ratio in the country at 3.51.

Skinn worked in the Washington, D.C. metro area for four years prior to his collegiate coaching start. He served as the director of athletics at the Paul International High School in Washington, D.C., and was an assistant coach for NIKE Team Takeover, one of the premier AAU programs in the country. While working for NIKE Team Takeover, he helped recruit and develop student-athletes who went on to earn Division I college scholarships.

A native of Takoma Park, Maryland, Skinn stayed close to home to star for the Patriots from 2003-06. He averaged 14.4 points as a junior before putting together an outstanding senior campaign in 2005-06. During that magical season, he ranked fifth in the CAA in steals/game (1.6) while notching 12.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists/contest. His nine steals against Northeastern on Jan. 19, 2006, set a ��ӽ紫ý and CAA conference record that still stands today.

During the historic run to the Final Four, Skinn notched 10+ points in three of the four contests he played, including a 14-point, 4-assist performance against Wichita State in the Sweet 16 and a 13-point effort against Florida in the national semifinal. The first modern Cinderella in NCAA Tournament lore, Skinn and his teammates advanced to Indianapolis as a No. 11 seed while generating an estimated $677 million in free advertising for the university during the three-week run.

After making history with the Patriots, Skinn went on to play professionally in Europe for many years, including three in France. In 2012, he was a member of the Nigerian national team that qualified for the Olympics in London by finishing third at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caracas, Venezuela. He averaged 10 points a game during the tournament as Nigeria upset Greece in the quarterfinals, lost to Russia in the semifinals but then topped the Dominican Republic to earn the final Olympic qualifying berth. In London, Skinn and Nigeria won their first Olympic preliminary round game, defeating Tunisia, 60-56, before finishing 10th in the tournament.

Tony and his wife, Weyni, have three children, Isaiah, Liam, and Noelle.

Details of a press conference will be announced soon.

What They’re Saying About Tony Skinn:

“I love Tony Skinn. He was a great college player who led our ��ӽ紫ý team to the Final Four. He then became a terrific assistant coach helping Louisiana Tech, Seton Hall, Ohio State and Maryland recruit some outstanding student-athletes. He is now the perfect choice to become the next head coach at ��ӽ紫ý and lead his alma mater to the top of the Atlantic 10 and beyond. I wish him all the success in the world. Onward and upward for Tony and Mason.” – Jim Larrañaga – Head Coach, University of Miami

“Tony is ready to run and lead Mason’s men’s basketball program. He has great energy, is a ferocious competitor and will demand excellence from his players. I have enjoyed having Tony on my staff at both Maryland and Seton Hall and I am confident he will work tirelessly to build a great program at ��ӽ紫ý.” – Kevin Willard – Head Coach, University of Maryland

“Tony is a very bright basketball mind who connects well with players. He has tremendous recruiting connections along the East Coast and I believe he is ready for this next step in his coaching career. The ��ӽ紫ý community knows Tony Skinn well as a player and I’m excited that he and his family now get to return in this role. Congratulations on an excellent hire.” – Chris Holtmann – Head Coach, The Ohio State University

“Tony Skinn is one of the most driven and determined people I have ever been around. His ability to compete, improve, and make others better is at the highest level. He is passionate about ��ӽ紫ý and will be relentless in his pursuit of excellence as a recruiter, skill developer, and leader. His players are going to love playing for him.” – Eric Konkol – Head Coach, University of Tulsa

About ��ӽ紫ý

��ӽ紫ý is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls nearly 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. Learn more at www.gmu.edu.

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National Search Underway for ��ӽ紫ý Men’s Basketball Coach

Kristin Heydt — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 16:37:30 +0000

National Search Underway for ��ӽ紫ý Men’s Basketball Coach Kristin Heydt Thu, 03/23/2023 - 12:37

FAIRFAX, VA – A national search is underway to name ��ӽ紫ý’s next men’s basketball head coach, Mason President Gregory Washington said Thursday.

Coach Kim English is departing ��ӽ紫ý to become the head men’s basketball coach at Providence College.

“We are moving quickly and looking nationwide to identify our next men’s head basketball coach, and we expect to have an announcement soon,” Washington said. “While I am disappointed that Coach English did not accept our offer to retain him, I wish him continued success at Providence.”

“Coach English and his team brought the excitement back to ��ӽ紫ý basketball. They reminded Mason Nation and the college sports world of our basketball program’s heritage and massive potential,” Washington said.

Washington said Mason’s current search for a permanent athletics director also will be accelerated and will be completed in the coming weeks.

“We have made significant commitments to enhance our basketball and academic facilities, and along with a new athletics director, our next coach will step into an exciting new era at Mason athletics,” Washington said.

Nena Rogers, Mason’s interim athletics director, said, “I want to thank Coach English for the relentless energy and passion he infused into the ��ӽ紫ý basketball program over the past two years. We are grateful for the work Kim and his staff have done to position us for sustained success within the Atlantic 10 and on a national level. We wish him the very best as he embarks on his next step at Providence.”

“We have a proud basketball tradition here at ��ӽ紫ý. I am confident Mason will find a dynamic leader who will continue to build on that tradition,” Rogers said.

About ��ӽ紫ý

��ӽ紫ý is Virginia’s largest public research university. Among public universities, Mason is ranked No. 1 in Virginia and No. 7 in the nation for innovation, No. 1 in Virginia and No. 9 in the nation for diversity, and among America’s top 50 public universities for overall quality. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls nearly 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation, entrepreneurship and commitment to accessibility. Learn more at www.gmu.edu.

EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus of ��ӽ紫ý is home court to the Patriots' basketball programs.
Photo credit: Mason Athletics

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Fired up for Homecoming 2023

Damian Cristodero — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 21:29:43 +0000

Fired up for Homecoming 2023 Damian Cristodero Mon, 02/20/2023 - 16:29

In This Story

Gregory Washington

Homecoming 2023 at ��ӽ紫ý took many forms.

There was tailgating before the men's basketball game against LaSalle.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

There were cheers during the game.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

And a 70-66 victory, the Patriots' third straight win.

Mason forward Elvis Nnaji. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Mason President Gregory Washington welcomed alumni back to campus.

Mason President Gregory Washington in the Alumni Tent. Photo by Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications

There were blood donations during the Day of Service.

Photo by DeRon Rockingham

And a good time was had by all.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

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Mason's run to the 2006 Final Four paved the way for future Cinderellas

Colleen Rich — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 16:17:01 +0000

Mason's run to the 2006 Final Four paved the way for future Cinderellas Colleen Rich Thu, 03/17/2022 - 12:17

Photo by Mason Athletics

The 2006 Final Four run by the ��ӽ紫ý men’s basketball was an improbable feat of such epic proportions within the college basketball realm that it has since been likened to Roger Bannister’s first sub-4-minute mile.

And like the late English runner who became the first to cover that distance in less than four minutes when he did so in 1954, the Patriots’ stunning run to the college basketball pinnacle 16 years ago remains the gold standard for everybody following behind that anything is always possible if you believe.

Mason’s unlikely NCAA Tournament run as an 11th seed through college basketball bluebloods Michigan State, North Carolina, Wichita State and Connecticut en route to the Final Four not only stands out as one of the defining moments in the university’s first 50 years, but it set the stage for later college basketball Cinderella stories in the likes of Butler, VCU and Loyola-Chicago.

Mason, however, will always stand out as the first belle to the ball. They captured America’s hearts along the way.

Senior Lamar Butler signs copies of Sports Illustrated in the campus bookstore. Photo by Creative Services

“Barry Collier, the athletics director at Butler, later called me and said ‘Now you’ve broken the four-minute mile,’” recalled Jim Larranaga, the then-Patriots coach now at the University of Miami. “Now that you’ve done it, other programs will think they can do it.”

History has since proven Collier correct as Butler (2010, 2011), VCU (2011) and Loyola-Chicago (2018) each later defied the long odds against them and reached the Final Four.

And they have Mason to thank for it.

“Anybody who came after [Mason in 2006] went into the locker room believing it was possible,” said Hurricanes assistant coach Chris Caputo, who also served on Larranaga’s staff at Mason during the Final Four season. “We were part of something that had never been done before in modern college basketball history. We were kind of like the Roger Bannister.”

Playing at the time in the relatively unheralded Colonial Athletic Association, the Patriots became the CAA’s first-ever representative in the Final Four, with each upset more improbable than the previous one.

They began tournament play with a 75-65 win over a Michigan State team that had returned four starters from the previous year’s squad that had reached the Final Four. The sixth-seeded Spartans had outlasted Mason by six points in an early regular season meeting a year earlier.

“I asked the team, ‘Are we six points better than we were last year?” Larranaga said. “They said, ‘No, we’re a lot better than we were last year.’ So going into the Michigan State game, we were very, very confident and comfortable playing against them. We played a great game and won by 10.”

An impromptu pep rally/press conference awaited the team at the Patriot Center after the Elite Eight win. Photo by Creative Services

The mighty Tar Heels, the No. 3 seed and the reigning NCAA champions, were next, falling 65-60 in the Patriots’ second and final game in Dayton, Ohio. From there, it was back to the more familiar confines of Washington, D.C.’s nearby Verizon Center and a strongly partisan Mason crowd for the Sweet 16 matchup against fellow mid-major and No. 7 seed Wichita State. Four Patriots scored in double figures as Mason won, 63-55, to advance to the Elite Eight and face tournament overall No. 1 seed Connecticut.

The talent- and size-laden Huskies boasted four players who would later be selected in the first round of the NBA draft in just a few months and five players among the league’s top 40 selections. As if that weren’t enough, they were coached by Hall of Famer Jim Calhoun.

A huge turnout by the passionate Mason faithful reaped big dividends as the Patriots played the role of David to UConn’s Goliath. Down by as many as 12 points in the first half and nine in the second, the Patriots rallied to shock the entire sports world with an 86-84 overtime win that ranks as among the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history, propelling the team to Indianapolis for the Final Four.

More than 10,000 frenzied Patriots fans were on hand at what was then the Patriot Center when the team returned home following its win over UConn.

“The place was filled,” Caputo said. “It was crazy.”

Largely unknown to the rest of the nation prior to that NCAA Tournament, Mason had suddenly become en vogue everywhere. Following the Final Four appearance, Robert Baker, then director of the Center for Sport Management at Mason and now interim dean of Mason's College of Education and Human Development, examined the economic and social impacts of the Final Four appearance across the university. What he found is good news for the next university that wears the glass slipper. Mason’s improbable run was responsible for an estimated $677 million in free publicity from television, print and radio media.

As a result, the university reported an 800% increase in traffic to its official website, while the university bookstore in the Johnson Center, which typically averaged $11,000 in weekly sales, brought in just shy of $1 million in the 10 days leading up to the Final Four. Admissions inquiries increased by 350% with out-of-state applications increasing by 40%.

“The run to the Final Four really brought national attention, not just local and regional,” Larranaga said. “With that kind of recognition and publicity, ��ӽ紫ý was really on the map from then on.”

See more Final Four memories in the Mason Spirit story "Hoop Dreams" from the spring 2006 issue.

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Basketball star Josh Oduro puts hard work on display

Colleen Rich — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 18:49:47 +0000

Basketball star Josh Oduro puts hard work on display Colleen Rich Mon, 03/07/2022 - 13:49

Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

Josh Oduro isn’t much for statistics.

But for the record, the star forward on ��ӽ紫ý’s men’s basketball team finished the regular season as the Atlantic 10 conference’s top scorer (18 points per game), and tied for seventh in rebounding (7.4 per game) and blocked shots (1.7 per game).

All of which makes him a strong candidate for conference player of the year.

Asked about the numbers, Oduro, a 6-foot-9 junior forward, shrugged them off.

“I don’t really care about stats. Stats are whatever,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s really just trying to get wins. That’s my whole motivation—team success.”

Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

Mason (14-15) has a chance to create that success at the Atlantic 10 tournament that begins Wednesday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

The ninth-seeded Patriots—who received a first-round bye and whose season includes a victory over then-No. 20 Maryland—face eighth-seeded Fordham (15-15) at noon on Thursday.

“I feel we can play against anybody,” Oduro said.

Oduro admitted he had some “baby fat” on him when he came out of Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Virginia. And he chuckled as he remembered a coach who he said once told him that he was a high-level player, “but I just had to wait for my body to catch up to my skillset.”

So before his sophomore season at Mason, Oduro cut carbs and sugars out of his diet, lost 20 pounds and then added 15 pounds of muscle.

The results: a nice shooting touch (53% from the field, eighth-best in the conference), and greater assertiveness on the boards and as a team leader.

“His work ethic, his toughness, his will to show up and get better every day,” Coach Kim English said, describing what makes Oduro effective. “And he’s incredibly talented. I say all the time, he’s only scratching the surface.”

Oduro said working with English, a former NBA player, helped him to hone his game. But he also applied lessons of hard work and responsibility from his mother, Kris, and father, Kofi, who ran track and played soccer in his native Ghana.

“They’ve always taught me there is no substitute for hard work,” Oduro said. “I feel that kind of discipline has been a catalyst for what I’m doing now and being able to move forward and become a more developed player.”

The hard work doesn’t stop on the court. Oduro is majoring in business with a concentration in management.

Though Oduro’s goal is to play basketball professionally, “I want to have that good degree to fall back on,” he said.

Besides, he said, “I feel that business and sports go hand-in-hand because there’s a lot of teamwork and you have to be able to work with different kinds of people to achieve one overall goal.”

“He works hard to prepare himself for life after basketball,” said Michael Ouellette, academic coordinator for Mason Athletics. “He’s committed to his education and values the opportunity he has to receive a Mason degree. Josh is another example of Mason student-athletes striving both on the field and in the classroom.”

For this week, though, Oduro’s focus is on the court.

“I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people,” he said of the Atlantic 10 tournament that provides the winner with a spot in the NCAA tournament. “I’m excited just to do that.”

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Mason basketball student-athletes demonstrate they mean business when it comes to learning

Colleen Rich — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 14:31:49 +0000

Mason basketball student-athletes demonstrate they mean business when it comes to learning Colleen Rich Thu, 01/13/2022 - 09:31

Mason men's basketball players, Blake Buchanan, left, and D'Shawn Schwartz. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

��ӽ紫ý men’s basketball players D’Shawn Schwartz and Blake Buchanan, both School of Business graduate students, say their friendship helps keep them focused on their studies.

“I would describe Blake as a lifelong learner, and it’s always interesting and motivating to talk to him,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz, who is working on a graduate certificate in business analytics, and Buchanan, who is pursuing a master’s degree in management, are suite-mates and say they often find themselves deep in conversations about politics, about movies, about anything.

“People push the idea that athletes don’t have other interests, but that’s far from the truth,” Buchanan said. “The majority of our conversations have nothing to do with basketball. We could end up talking about a history documentary or economic theory or any number of other topics that interest us.”

Schwartz is in his final season of athletic eligibility.

Mason men’s basketball head coach Kim English says that Schwartz and Buchanan’s leadership and emphasis on academics are crucial to the team’s culture of excellence.

“It’s very important to me that our student-athletes’ education extends beyond the classroom, and both of these student-athletes exemplify excellence in education,” English said. “As coaches, we look at ourselves as being a part of the higher education process. In recruiting, we target and seek out well-rounded, bright individuals who possess a growth mindset in both their athletic pursuits and as learners.”

Schwartz, 22, a 6-foot-7 forward, graduated from University of Colorado in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an emphasis in marketing, as well as a certificate in music technology.

Schwartz is second on the Patriots in scoring this season and led Mason with a game-high 24 points in the team's upset win at #20 Maryland on Nov. 17.

In December, Schwartz was named one of 30 candidates for the NCAA’s Senior CLASS Award, which recognizes student-athletes who achieve success both on and off the court. The award recognizes excellence in character, community, classroom, and competition.

Besides basketball and business, Schwartz is passionate about music and spends much of his spare time working on songs. Schwartz plans to work as a music producer after his basketball career is done. Samples of Schwartz's music can be found on Spotify.

“I’m learning a lot this year in my studies about how to use statistics and data to make predictions, along with ways to sell to different demographics,” Schwartz said. “This year has also been a great way to explore Washington, D.C., and take in all the museums and experience a more urban lifestyle than I am used to.”

Buchanan, a 6-foot-5 guard, graduated from Wake Forest University in May 2021 with a degree in economics and a minor in entrepreneurship. He participates in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Buchanan said that studying management has allowed him to make good business connections and learn about concepts, translating them into “real-world settings.”

“My plan is to apply the knowledge I’m gaining toward a career in consulting or fundraising,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan, 21, has played in several games and is a critical part of Mason’s scout team helping in game preparations.

“I’m incredibly excited to see what both these men achieve in life and how they impact the world,” said English. “One thing is for certain—wherever they end up, Mason is going to be very proud that they are alumni. I know that they will have taken much from their time in Fairfax.”

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Bringing big dreams to campus and the basketball court

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 12:46:56 +0000

Bringing big dreams to campus and the basketball court Lauren Reuscher Thu, 09/09/2021 - 08:46

Mike Gray, point guard for Mason Men’s Basketball, is ready to achieve his goals on the court and in the classroom. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

Starting college offers a chance to forge new friendships and find a sense of community on campus. Freshman Mike Gray has already experienced that sense of belonging at Mason.

As a point guard on ��ӽ紫ý’s men’s basketball team, Gray spent the summer living on campus with his new teammates.

“Getting that time and experience on campus will help me navigate the semester ahead,” he said.

Living and practicing together helped the team create connections and get ready for the upcoming season, Gray said, adding, “The coaches make the team a family environment.”

Gray is optimistic about the basketball season.

“Our goal is to win the [Atlantic 10 conference] and be able to play in the NCAA tournament,” he said.

The summer also provided Gray with the opportunity to take two classes and prepare for the school year. Balancing academics and athletics is something he already has experienced.

“In high school, I attended a boarding school called Blue Ridge—living on campus, kind of like a college setting, being on my own, and learning how to plan for everything. That is going to help me navigate college life,” he said.

Gray is excited for the chance to attend Mason after the challenges of the pandemic.

“The toughest part was how it affected my senior year of high school,” he said. "I lived on campus, but since COVID, we weren’t able to go home. Being away from family for a long period of time was pretty tough.”

Attending Mason appealed to Gray for several reasons, one of which was its proximity to his hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He credits his family as major contributors to his success.

“My family is my support system—my mom, dad, sister—them being behind me every step of the way has been the best part,” Gray said. “The love and support they’ve shown me is what pushes me to keep on going.”

Gray plans to major in kinesiology, and he is already taking some classes in the program this fall. He sees it as a way to continue his involvement with sports throughout his lifetime.

“Once the ball stops bouncing, I want to be able to help other athletes continue to play at their highest level,” he said.

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Mason welcomes rising star Kim English to lead the men’s basketball program

Colleen Rich — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 21:14:24 +0000

Mason welcomes rising star Kim English to lead the men’s basketball program Colleen Rich Thu, 03/25/2021 - 17:14

Mason introduced new men’s basketball coach Kim English at an enthusiastic press conference Thursday at EagleBank Arena. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

��ӽ紫ý introduced new men’s basketball coach Kim English at an enthusiastic press conference Thursday at EagleBank Arena, with the 32-year-old hire touting the program as a prospective “incubator for the best talent in the country.”

“We’re slap dab in the middle of the most fertile recruiting in the world,” the high-energy English, a Baltimore native, said to a socially distanced crowd of Mason supporters, including several current and former players.

“It’s already a national brand,” added English, the 11th head coach in program history. “Everyone knows ��ӽ紫ý. Everyone. It’s going to become a global brand—recruit kids from all over the world to come to this place and do something special.”

Since joining the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2013, Mason has never reached the men’s basketball semifinals. Even so, English said he sees more opportunity than challenge in Fairfax. Hired Tuesday, he said he has received calls from prospective transfers from the nation’s top basketball conferences. He also intends to hire an assistant who specializes in international recruiting.

A second-round pick of the Detroit Pistons after starring at the University of Missouri on four NCAA tournament-qualifying teams, English played basketball overseas and has his own international connections as well.

“I think every country in the world has an embassy a few miles away,” English said, referring to Mason’s proximity to Washington, D.C. “Wherever you are, in the nation, in the world, you can find your people here in the DMV.”

Mason President Gregory Washington said hiring Kim English is just another example of the university’s penchant for spotting talent. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

Mason President Gregory Washington was pleased to find a rising young coach to head the university’s highest-profile athletic team. He said hiring English, who served as an assistant at Tulsa, Colorado and Tennessee, is just another example of the university’s penchant for spotting talent.

“Mason’s story in the end is one of finding talent,” Washington said. “We discover talent wherever it is and we bring that talent into our classroom, and we graduate that talent toward success. This is one of the youngest, hot, successful coaches out there.

“But we kind of take solace in the fact that we discovered him first,” Washington added with a laugh, “and we made this happen early.”

The university didn’t dial back expectations for their new hire, preceding the press conference with a stirring video of the team’s legendary run to the Final Four in 2006. Several players from that team were on hand, and English namechecked them and their achievements in detail.

“I revere those guys with the utmost respect,” he said.

English is the same age that Rick Barnes was when he became Mason’s head coach in 1987. English coached under Barnes the past two seasons at the University of Tennessee. Mason Vice President/Director of Athletics Brad Edwards credits long-time (and retiring) athletic department members Jay and Carolyn Marsh for maintaining close ties to Barnes. That relationship helped lead Mason to English.

“[Barnes’s] continued affinity for our university and wanting to do what was in its best interest really became clear,” said Edwards, who heard raves about English from the many major college head coaches and NBA executives he contacted during the coaching search.

Mason made three NCAA tournament appearances between 2006 and 2011 but none since. That is a goal for the program, and the role of Mason basketball transcends hanging championship banners, Washington said.

“A basketball program is so much more than March Madness,” he said. “A strong program serves as a beacon of light for our institution, for our community and for the university in general. Often it represents the first light that many in our community will see when they gaze upon ��ӽ紫ý.”

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Patriot Pop Quiz: Olympic basketball

Question:

Who was the first ���ӽ紫ý men’s basketball player to participate in the Olympics?

Answer: Tony Skinn, BA Communication '06, head coach for ���ӽ紫ý men’s basketball.

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Mason formally welcomes new men’s basketball coach Tony Skinn

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���ӽ紫ý Selects Tony Skinn to Lead Men’s Basketball Program

What They’re Saying About Tony Skinn:

About ���ӽ紫ý

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Mason basketball student-athletes demonstrate they mean business when it comes to learning

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Bringing big dreams to campus and the basketball court

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Mason welcomes rising star Kim English to lead the men’s basketball program

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Who was the first ��ӽ紫ý men’s basketball player to participate in the Olympics?

Answer: Tony Skinn, BA Communication '06, head coach for ��ӽ紫ý men’s basketball.

��ӽ紫ý Selects Tony Skinn to Lead Men’s Basketball Program

About ��ӽ紫ý

National Search Underway for ��ӽ紫ý Men’s Basketball Coach