Anthony Mason, Jr. inks deal with Upea

Anthony Mason, Jr. (201 cm, St. John’s’10) has signed with Upea Capo d’Orlando (Italy-Lega 2). Earlier in the month he signed with Akita Northern Happinets (Japan-BJ League), but he’s moving to Italy. He’s been playing in the NBA D-League the last two seasons for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 15.1 points per game over 15 games in 2010-11 and 17.2 points per game over 45 contests in 2011-12. Mason played his collegiate ball with St. John’s of the Big East Conference. His scoring stats rose consistently for his first three seasons with the Red Storm (8.4ppg, 11.9ppg, 14.0ppg), until an injury in his senior year sidelined him after only three games. He was able to return the following season, but his numbers dropped significantly and he only contributed 7.3 points per game his last season. Mason is the son of 13-year NBA player Anthony Mason, Sr. who tallied career highs in 1996-97 with the Charlotte Hornets in minutes per game (43.1), points (16.2), rebounds (11.4), assists (5.7) and had four triple doubles.