Jefferson Mason is a 26 year old 198cm guard from Crystal Minnesota that is playing his second season in Germayn and first with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau. He played his first three seasons of college ball at  N.Colorado (NCAA) playing a total of 58 NCAA games. He then played at Minnesota State-Mankato (NCAA2) from 2009-2011 and in his senior year he played 33 games: 19.2ppg, 8.8rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, FG%: 55.5, 3FG%: 30.6, FT%: 70.0. He started his professional basketball career in Germany for the Webmoebel Baskets Paderborn (Germany-ProA, starting five) playing 31 games: 17.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 65.8%. In the 2012-2013 season he played for Frisco Texas Legends (D-League): 1 game: 2pts, 2rbs, in Dec.’12 moved to CSU Atlassib Sibiu (Romania-Division A), left in Dec.’12: 4 games: 8.0ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, in Jan.’13 signed at Al-Tadamoun (Iraq-D1). Last season he played for AB Contern (Luxembourg-Total League) playing 29 games: 19.6ppg, 10.9rpg, 1.9apg, Steals-5(1.8spg), FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 21.2%, FT: 56.0%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

You recently went 3/10 from the free throw line. I guess that it was one of those days?

 

Yes it was one of those days. It was all mental. I know I can hit free throws. I have made big free throws in the past.

 

The last time that we talked was in September 2012. Since then you have played in the D-League, Romania, Iraq and Luxemburg. Have these experiences helped you grow as a player in the last two years?

 

Yes I think it has. I have grown as a player in many areas. My jump shot is better as is my defense. I played many different styles of basketball in the last two years with up and down, half court or pick and role. All these different styles in Countries have helped me grow as a player.

 

What was the main reason for coming to Hanau?

 

The club is very professional and wants to achieve a lot this season. The club as Cardall Mcfarland who tore up Pro B last season and very good German players. This and their will to win sold me on coming to Hanau.

 

What is your role on the team? Do you have to score a lot?

 

They want me to be a type of playmaker that can push the ball on the break, create for others and play defense.

 

How is your relationship to head coach Ty Shaw? He always seemed reserved, but I am sure that he can get loud in the locker room.

 

He is a good coach and knows what he is talking about concerning basketball. If he needs to get on you he will. His words mean a lot. He stays composed as a coach and wants us to be composed on the court.

 

What has been your impression of German Jonathan Mesghna? He played at four different colleges in four years. He already seems to be the glue guy after only two games.

 

Yes he is our glue guy. He can really shoot the ball and as a bigger wing he really helps us rebounding and on defense. He will be very important for the team this season.

 

You are 26 now. Are you in your prime yet?

 

I am not in my prime yet. I am more athletic now and I have been blessed for staying healthy. I think that I continue to grow in all aspects of my game and my best years are yet still to come.

 

What was your most unforgettable experience in Iraq where you played recently?

 

The team was watching a game and there were only men in the stands. It was a crazy atmosphere as they were throwing lighters and setting fires. I wasn´t scared, but just wasn´t used to seeing something like that.

 

Last season you played for AB Contern (Luxembourg-Total League) playing 29 games: 19.6ppg, 10.9rpg, 1.9apg, Steals-5(1.8spg), FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 21.2%, FT: 56.0%. Did it feel like being a man playing with boys?

 

No it didn´t feel like that. Luxemburg gets a bad rap, but the players there are a lot better than people think. The Americans there have to produce and play many minutes. The team is always counting on you to come through scoring, rebounding and getting assists.

 

What was the most amazing thing that you saw Cardall Mcfarland do on the court?

 

Well I have seen him do many amazing things. Is ball handling off the ball screen is great. He has the ability to make guys fall left and right with his cross over.

 

Who won a one on one you or Nick Freer in Paderborn and now?

 

We never played one on one, but I have a lot of respect for him. He is a leader and I learned a lot from him when we played for Paderborn. He is very athletic like me and a dunk contest would be interesting.

 

Where will the journey of the Minnesota Timberwolves end this season?

 

I hope they get the 8^th spot. I think that they will be one of the fun teams to watch because of their athletic ability with guys like Rubio and Wiggins.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Minority Report.

 

Thanks Jefferson for the chat.