Oklahoma State Basketball: Top five players to ever play for the Cowboys
4. Desmond Mason
Position: Forward
Years: 1996-2000
Mason is known by basketball fans as one of the best dunkers of the early 2000s. At 6’7″, 224 pounds, Mason was one of the most electric athletes ever to put on the Pokes jersey. He started with the Cowboys in 1996-97 during the Eddie Sutton era. That season was not the best for the Pokes as they finished just over .500 with a second round exit in the NIT.
Mason is one of the few players on this list that spent his entire four years with OK State. He had a natural progression through his four years with the Cowboys. Mason only played 16.8 minutes per game his freshman year. However, that turned to 35.4 minutes per game by his senior season. Four-year players should always hold a special place in fans’ hearts because as time progresses it gets harder and harder to find.
By Mason’s senior year he averaged 18.0 points per game, 1.5 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 block. He was even named a First Team All-American by College Hoops Inside after the 1999-2000 season. That was also one of the best seasons for OK State in recent memory. The Cowboys made it all the way to the Elite Eight in the 2000 NCAA Tournament.
During his career at OK State, Mason averaged 23.3 and 10.9 rebounds per 40 minutes. His per 40-minute averages are some of the most impressive numbers in Oklahoma State history.