Former NBA power forward Anthony Mason is in critical condition after suffering heart failure and a heart attack.
Longtime New York-based NBA writer Peter Vecsey broke the news with a tweet around in the late afternoon.
Sickened 2 report, ex-Knick Anthony Mason fighting 4 life. Congestive heart failure, heart attack, 4 surgeries, last one 9 hrs. Sons by side
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) February 11, 2015
Anthony Mason is 48. His mother, Mary will be 90 tomorrow…
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) February 11, 2015
Mason, 350 lbs, had heart issue 4 yr. Was on 2d fl of hosp taking test when attack occurred. Surgery was on 3. Very lucky not on 1, I’m told
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) February 12, 2015
Mason, who was on the 1994 New York Knicks team that made it to the NBA Finals with teammates Charles Oakley, Patrick Ewing and John Starks under, then, head coach Pat Riley, won the NBA’s Sixth Man Award in 1994-95 while playing for Riley’s Knicks teams. His only NBA All-Star appearance came as a member of the Miami Heat in 2001, also under coach Riley.
Both of his former Riley-teams offered their thoughts and prayers via Twitter.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Anthony Mason and his family. #Knicks
— NBA New York Knicks (@nyknicks) February 11, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with Anthony Mason and his family.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 12, 2015
His former Knicks teammates, Mark Jackson and Derek Harper, as well as Eastern Conference rival Reggie Miller and NBA great Magic Johnson all took to Twitter to offer their support.
Praying for my former teammate Anthony Mason!!!
— Mark Jackson (@MarkJackson13) February 12, 2015
My prayers go out to ex-Knick, and my former teammate, Anthony Mason and his family. Praying for a speedy recovery and return to good health
— Derek Harper (@D_Harp_12) February 11, 2015
Praying for Anthony Mason as he battles heart issues, show that same fight you showed on the court my friend.. #Warrior
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) February 12, 2015
Everybody please pray for former NBA player Anthony Mason as I just read on ESPN he’s fighting for his life.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 12, 2015
Even WWE Hall of Fame wrestler The Iron Sheik paid his respect.
RESPECT THE ANTHONY MASON HE PLAY IN THE GARDEN HE IRON SHEIK CLASS FOREVER
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) February 12, 2015
In light of recent losses in the world of basketball (Dean Smith, Jerry Tarkanian, etc.), it would be terribly tragic for Mason to be lost to the world so soon, only 48.
Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family in hope of a quick and full recovery.
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Michael Brumagin writes the Tweet of the Day for SheridanHoops.com and is also a correspondent for BleacherReport.com. Follow @mbrumagin