At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, but today’s edition will highlight Silas Mason of Ben L. Smith and Team Felton.
Arguably the most well-known unsigned senior in North Carolina, Mason has collected an abundance of offers throughout the last three years and looks likely to continue over the coming months. He’s a long, wiry, explosive forward prospect that has made a ton of quality strides in developing his offensive game. Mason was previously tabbed as another typical athlete but has certainly put that ideal to rest, given the way he runs the offense and controls the action for Ben L. Smith. He’s shooting the ball as well as ever, both from midrange and beyond the arc, and possesses a lot of versatility on both ends of the floor. Mason also knows how to properly lead by example, consistently defending, fighting on the glass, and making the smartest available play on offense. It’s crazy to think that he remains unsigned.
Mason has been on a tear this season and we recently saw him against Southwest Guilford, where we stated: “There was so much to like with Smith’s talent and approach, especially given the way Mason performed throughout this contest. He showcased consistent flashes of dominance and was able to be utilized in a variety of different ways on offense. Mason operated out of the high post, off the bounce, and as the primary creator, making him extremely difficult for the opposition to contain. He attacked the basket, knocked down jumpers (both off the catch and dribble), and made plays for others whenever possible. Mason fought on the glass and wreaked havoc with his defensive presence, altering shots, intercepting passing lanes, and pushing the break in transition with relative ease. He will be a quality addition to a variety of Division I programs.”
Mason has received scholarship offers from Charlotte, Florida, Oklahoma State, Houston, DePaul, East Carolina, Hampton, Western Carolina, UNCG, Texas, South Florida, Old Dominion, Providence, High Point, Georgetown, Wichita State, Kansas State, Appalachian State, Elon, UAB, Central Connecticut, and Siena. That’s a ton of offers but Mason should remain a hot commodity across the country until he ultimately signs with a program. College coaches would be wise to reevaluate Mason in the waning months of the high school season, as it would make him even more desirable at the next level.