Through Challenges Mast Pushes On

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Chris Mast has used change to improve.

January 13, 2009 – In 2006, Chris Mast left the DC area a graduate of Suitland High School and Capital Classic participant, one headed to Edison Prep (NJ) before enrolling at Progressive Christian (MD)Prep, bound for Morgan State University. The then power forward and now 6’6”, 190 pound small forward/shooting guard did matriculate to Morgan in ’07, but that’s when his journey truly began.

“I redshirted” shared the District Height, MD native, on his first and only year at Morgan. Why did he leave? “I redshirted due to academics, but it just wasn’t working out”.

From there, he enrolled in New Mexico Junior College, averaging “21 points and six rebounds”. Mast really enjoyed that school’s style, which he described as “We pressed. Got up and down the floor and getting transition buckets”. Schools like Oklahoma State, New Mexico and Providence had taken notice.

Chris Mast during Cap Classic '06 action.

Unfortunately, his stay there concluded in 2009, as New Mexico Junior College’s then-head coach, Jimmy Voight, decided to accept a job (associate head coach) at Lousiana-Monroe. Still in need of another juco year, Mast then transferred to Eastern Utah for 2009-2010.

Located in Price, Utah, Mast has soldiered through challenges while there.

“It’s tough, it’s a small town” he shared of adjusting. “Not many people who live there (population around 8,000)”. On the floor, Eastern Utah’s head coach, Chris Craig, run’s a system which is “High-low for the bigs, so I’m not getting as many shots”. His numbers bear that out, as of this writing Mast is averaging 5.1 points a game.

Mast throws down a dunk for New Mexico Junior College.

Being there has had its benefits; Chris not only shared “It has helped me as far as playing in both systems”, but he continued to be recruited with “Portland State, Weber State, Florida Gulf Coast”, Louisana-Monroe and Texas A&M -Corpus Christi all offering scholarships.

Recently, Mast decided that last school, Texas A&M -CC will be the home for his last two years of college career.

Why Texas A&M -Corpus Christi and its coach, Perry Clark? “I felt comfortable with the coach” said, choosing that program over ULM and his juco coach, Voight. Of his final choice, Mast stated “The team he (Clark) has now, it’s the best fit for me right now”.

Mast also believes of Clark “He’s a good coach as far as his experience goes; He’s got a lot of guys in the league, coached a lot of pro players. In terms of that experience, I felt I needed a coach to take me to that next level”.

For the record, that’s four schools since high school graduation, a sojourn Mast knows has bettered him: “It’s been a life learning experience, as far as going to different States and working with different coaches I don’t know. I believe once I get to the school, I’m going to next year, it’s all going to come together”.

Bill Burnett a former collegiate player at San Jacinto and Southern University, agrees Mast will flourish at Texas A&M -CC, and in the Southland Conference.

“I think he’ll do well, because of the style of play” “ said Burnett, who mentors young players as well as competes yearly in summer ball activities such as the Goodman League, one of the most competitive outdoor summer month confabs on the East Coast. “He’s a transition guard. That’s what they do”.

Does Burnett think Chris' path has benefited him? "I think it has, because now Chris sees how the basketball world is" he said. "Chris is a kid who works hard. He understands the transition of moving and staring all over".

Hats off to Chris Mast for keeping his dream alive and working fo it.