By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
Standing 6-foot-5 inches and 170 pounds, O’Dea’s Mason Williams has emerged as one of the best players in the Metro league and in the state. But before he was on the radar of college coaches, Williams paid his basketball dues by continuing to work hard, stay in the gym, and eventually blossom into Head Coach Jason Kerr’s leader on the floor, but his journey has not been easy
Williams would get his first varsity action as a sophomore during the COVID shortened 2020-21 season, where he averaged 6 minutes per game, 2 points, 1 rebound and 0.5 assists.
Knowing that he could compete at the top level, but his playing time didn’t reflect it, Williams stated, “Sophomore year I had to stop falling into comparisons from seeing all my friends playing and not me. So, I just trusted the work, stayed in the weight room, worked on the mental aspect of the game, kept my head down, and still stay the course.”
During his junior season, Williams became the starting point guard, and helped lead the Fighting Irish to a 20-8 overall record finishing fourth in the Metro League and advancing to the 3A state tournament where they’d lose 48-44 to Eastside Catholic in the first round.
Playing his first full varsity season, Williams improved in all statistical categories. Over the course of the season, Williams averaged 23.4 minutes per contest, logged in 15 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, which earned him All-Metro Second Team honors, and more importantly his first scholarship offer from the University of Portland.
Concluding an impressive season, Williams would go on to further his presence by playing AAU basketball for the Seattle Rotary EYBL team.
During the AAU season, Williams led his team in assists with 3.1, and ranked third in steals at 1.1, while shooting 41% from the field and three-point range and establishing himself against players who were nationally and locally ranked. Holding just one offer at the time, Mason concluded his AAU run with scholarship offers from Seattle University, Washington State University, and Eastern Washington.
His father Chuck Williams, who also coached him during AAU, says that it has been wonderful to watch his son evolve as a player.
“It’s been amazing, basketball has taught him the two things you need to be successful in life — discipline and work ethic,” says the elder Williams. “Mason was always one of the little guys on his teams, but he had these long arms and big feet, so we always just said keep working it’s coming, telling him to learn the little guy stuff until you’re a big guy.”
“Freshman year came and he was 5’8 and maybe 125 pounds, still small but skilled,” he continued. “I think he slept through COVID because he woke up one day a 6’2 sophomore and with that came a lot of confidence, which helped take his game and hunger to another level. Now he’s a 6’5 senior headed to school next year with goals of winning a state championship along the way.”
Entering his senior season, Williams, a two-star player according to verbalcommits.com, received additional offers from Montana and UC San Diego. Williams took to social media on October 28, 2022 and announced his commitment to the Eagles of Eastern Washington, becoming the third player under Coach Kerr to head to the university.
“What shaped my decision to Eastern was really just going to place where they love me the most and I really love Eastern and the vibe of the coaches and players because they’re all grinders,” said Williams. “I feel I can be successful there, so I’m ready, go Eagles!”
Having coached his fair share of standout players like Martell Webster, Spencer Hawes, Isaiah Thomas, Zach Lavine, Jon Brockman, Joe Harris and Tony Wroten, Chuck Williams understands the process of helping kids get to college.
“I’ve coached for a long time and talked to a lot of coaches, helped a lot of young men through the process, so to do it with my son was truly a blessing,” said Williams. “I know what his hopes and dreams are, they’re the same as all these young men playing. His mother’s and my hopes and dreams for him were to get a college degree, so the opportunity to get one while doing what he loves to do, we couldn’t be more proud and excited for him.”
Williams’ future head coach David Riley of Eastern Washington has nothing but high praises for his recruit.
“Mason is a crafty point guard with really good size at 6’5”,” says Riley. “He is very cerebral, understands the game, has amazing feel, can make plays for others, and knows how to run a team. Mason is a really good three-point shooter, can score in the midrange, attacking the basket, and will be a really good defender in the Big Sky.”
“To get an in-state talent the caliber of Mason from one of the best programs in the state is a homerun for our program,” Riley continued. “We are thrilled Mason is joining our Eagle family.”
Solidifying his new home for four years before his senior season began, Williams has been able to focus on the final season of his high school career. Through their first half of the season, he’s helped the Fighting Irish off to a 10-3 overall record and 6-1 in Metro League play.
Individually he’s off to a great start as well. He was named to the All-Tournament team at ‘The Holiday Classic’ hosted by Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, while averaging 18.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.
With just 6 regular season games left before the playoffs begin, Williams is ready to help his team make a post-season push.
“This season I simply want to do whatever it takes for a state championship, whether that’s scoring, giving it my all on defense, or looking to get my teammates going,” says Williams. “Individually, I want to be the Metro League MVP, which I think is quite the accomplishment with all the talent in this league.”
