Recruiting Report: Mason Shifflett (2019)
Players are always looking for the right fit on a high school team, both where they can win and get their names out there. For junior wing Mason Shifflett, he’s taken somewhat of a different route than others. He’s in his first year at Teays Valley Christian outside of Huntington, WV, and last year he played at Wesley Christian in Kentucky and for Matt’s Mustangs in the summer.
The decision to transfer to Teays Valley wasn’t an easy one, but it’s one that he is very happy that he made.
“Coach Arrowood is a great coach, we run a great system that fits me perfectly and I truly love my teammates and this coaching staff,” Shifflett said affectionately. “It’s been a great transition for me and has been one of the best decisions of my life to come to Teay’s Valley.”
A 6’3” wing with a burner from the outside, Shifflett comes off as a spot up shooter but he’s much more than that. The thing that stuck out to me is his intangibles. He really understands the game well, competes and is very vocal, something that he says he’s happy to bring with him wherever he goes.
“It just comes naturally to me,” Shifflett said about his leadership and intangibles. “Last year at Wesley, I was the youngest player on the team but was voted a team captain. It’s just something that I’ve always been, a natural leader that tries to be vocal and brings intensity everyday I’m on the court.”
He may not play for the biggest name AAU or high school, but Shifflett has found his niche just like these programs have, and college coaches are taking notice. He currently holds a Stetson offer, and has recently heard from UNCG, Robert Morris, Elon, Air Force and Stony Brook among others.
When asked to describe his game, he broke it down as someone who’s scrappy and versatile.
“I like to be the first guy to every 50-50 ball, I play as hard as I can offensively and defensively and I’m a knock down shooter. I’m a natural scorer but I love to create for others, and I think I can do a little bit of everything.”
As far as where he’d like to go when the time comes, he doesn’t want to go anywhere that he won’t win a lot of basketball games.
“I’m just looking for somewhere that has a winning foundation, it’s what I’m always looking for and I’ve always wanted. I just want to go somewhere that I can play for a winning coach and a winning program.”
“I play as hard as I can and I’m going to do anything to win. I never take a day off whether it’s practice or a game, that’s something my coach will tell you and my teammates will tell you.”
That sounds like a recruitable kid in my opinion, and his game will back it up if you watch him.