2003 Target: St. Benedicts Bashir Mason

PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY -- One of the keys to St. Benedict's victory over Blair Academy this past weekend was the play of Bashir Mason, a 6-0, 175 pound point guard. Mason smartly ran the show for St. Benedict's and helped Danny Hurley's team produce an early lead that they never relinguished.

Mason also showed some nice perimeter skills. Three of his first four baskets came from long range, one of them was a three-pointer. Mason finished with 11 points and had several assists. The lefty is also very quick and has good hands.

Mason is a very effective passer in transition. He has the ability to penetrate an opponent's defenses, drew defenders and dish off to teammates for easy buckets.

Mason reads defenses well and finds cutters to the hoop in half court sets. Coach Hurley said that Delaware, Ohio University and several other mid-majors have expressed an early interest in Mason. But it's likely that some top division one programs will eventually take a look at Mason, who is one of the better lead guards in the class of 2003.

Mason will play this spring and summer with Jimmy Salmon's T5T Playaz program, so he should continue to get a lot of exposure in the coming months.

The Insiders Report/Rivalshoops.com will keep you posted on Mason, so stay tuned.