Mason Jones is winding down her college basketball career like she finished her outstanding high school year.
That’s being a winner.
Spending the past two years at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Jones has found a home, happiness and a new found love for basketball.
Jones was one of the best to ever wear a Panhandle uniform. The 5-foot-11 lanky guard with a long wingspan led the Ettes to the UIL Class 2A state semifinals in 2021. Jones left Panhandle with an incredible 123-19 record scoring 1,681 points. Jones was an All-State selection and the 2021 Press Pass Sports Player of the Year.
Coming out of high school, Jones signed to continue her college career at Division I Tarleton State. Jones played two years with the Texans, even becoming a starter her sophomore season. However, Jones knew something was missing during her time at the school and needed a change.
“Tarleton was a culture shock for me,” Jones said. “I’m grateful I went to Tarleton, but I went through a lot mentally there. It was a rough go, and I fell out of love with basketball. There were times where I questioned if I wanted to play anymore.”
After her sophomore season, Jones thought about her future and wasn’t ready to give up basketball. Jones put her name in the transfer portal and not long after SWOSU head coach Jeff Zinn came calling.
Jones decided to give basketball a second chance landing with the SWOSU women’s program, and the decision has more than paid off. Jones has become a go-to player for a Lady Bulldog team sitting at 15-11 overall with an 11-8 mark in the Great American Conference.
“It was nice to be wanted by someone again,” Jones said. “I decided to give SWOSU a shot and I’m so grateful for that. I’ve had a rollercoaster of emotions in college but being here at SWOSU, I’ve found the friends and teammates that fit me like a puzzle.”
Jones has made an immediate impact as a junior last season and is a senior team-leader this year. Jones averages over 30 minutes a night scoring 8.5 points a game with 3.6 boards and 1.7 steals.
“My confidence is much better now,” Jones said. “I’m trusted by my coaches and teammates to make the plays; take the shots and I’m playing like myself again. Coach Zinn has daughters on the team, and he has that father figure mentality. He’s put a lot of trust in me, and I can’t thank him enough.”
Watching Jones at Tarleton and seeing the type of player he had, Zinn knew Jones’ capability and it was just about bringing that out in her which it has.
“When I see Mason, I saw a player with all the talent in the world,” Zinn said. “I felt like I could ask her do to a lot more than she was asked at Tarleton. She’s a great offensive player but she has bought into the defensive philosophy. We trust Mason to go out and make plays. Her game has developed all the way around and we love the swagger and confidence she brings.”
Jones is thankful to find a place like SWOSU. It’s a program that reminds her of the tradition-rich Panhandle program back home.
“I’ve been so thankful to be here,” Jones said. “This program and the Panhandle program have so much in common. It’s two programs that know when to flip a switch and it’s all business when you step on the court.”