Bobby Joe Mason

Bobby Joe Mason (April 23, 1936 – July 4, 2006) was an American basketball player. He was an All-American college player at Bradley University and gained worldwide fame as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters.

Bobby Joe Mason
Mason from the 1958 Anaga
Personal information
Born(1936-04-23)April 23, 1936
Centralia, Illinois
DiedJuly 4, 2006(2006-07-04) (aged 70)
Springfield, Illinois
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight165 lb (75 kg)
Career information
High schoolCentralia (Centralia, Illinois)
CollegeBradley (1956–1960)
NBA draft1960: 6th round, 41st overall pick
Selected by the Cincinnati Royals
Playing career1962–1974
PositionGuard / forward
Career history
1962–1974Harlem Globetrotters
Career highlights and awards

Career

Mason was a three-sport star at Centralia High School in Centralia, Illinois. He came to Bradley and, after losing nearly a season to academic eligibility issues,[1] became a prominent player and a part of two National Invitation Tournament championships 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 the National Basketball Association's Minneapolis 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 the 1960 NIT championship.[3] Despite his abbreviated season, Mason was named a second-team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches alongside teammate Chet Walker.[4]

He was again drafted in the 1960 NBA draft, this time by the Cincinnati Royals (sixth round, 41st pick), however he did not play in the NBA. He instead joined the Harlem 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 series The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine.

Death

Mason died on July 4, 2006, at 70.[5]

References
  1. "Mason plans to rejoin Bradley team Monday". Shabokin News-Dispatch. 5 February 1957. p. 6. Retrieved December 30, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  2. "Bobby Joe Mason makes Missouri Valley All-Stars". Mt. Vernon Register-News. 26 February 1959. p. 10. Retrieved December 30, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  3. "Braves to lose services of Bobby Joe Mason in 2 weeks". Galesburg Register-Mail. 19 January 1960. p. 10. Retrieved December 30, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. "Oscar Robertson named top cager in nation". Ames Daily Tribune. 9 March 1960. p. 6. Retrieved December 30, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  5. "Bradley, Globetrotter Great Bobby Joe Mason Dies". Bradley Braves. July 5, 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
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