Best NBA Draft Sleepers of All-Time
9. Anthony Mason (1988 NBA Draft, 3rd Round, 53rd Overall)
Anthony Mason made just one All-Star team over 13 seasons in the NBA. However, he proved himself to be a tremendously valuable addition to a frontcourt over that time. His run as one of the best role players in the league also happened to come after falling to the third round in 1988 before being selected by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Despite being selected by Portland, Mason never played a minute for the Trail Blazers. He spent his rookie season with the New Jersey Nets and his second year in the league as a member of the Denver Nuggets. After playing a grand total of only 129 minutes over his first two seasons in the league, though, Mason found a real home playing for the New York Knicks.
Mason wasn’t a superstar by any stretch, but rather a solid force on the interior for many years in the league. He spent his best years playing with the Knicks and the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 11.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game over those eight seasons.
Sadly, Mason passed away in February of this year due to congestive heart failure that was the result of a heart attack. However, there wasn’t an ill word to say about the big man at the time of his passing as he was a beloved teammate and respected player. It’s not everyday you find a player or man of that caliber late in the draft.
Next: Who Is The Defensive Genius That Fell To The Second Round?