Prospect Spotlight: Mason Mickelson (2021)
An opportunity to play with one of the West’s best grassroots teams is no small feat, and Highland big-man Mason Mickelson is relishing that opportunity.
The 6-foot-6 post is running with Exum Elite 15U this spring and summer, and is having the time of his life in the process.
He’s already been to Los Angeles and Atlanta with the team. And will be in New York this summer for the adidas Gauntlet Championships.
“It’s just out of this world, they’re all so talented and just the places I’ve been able to go and the competition I’ve faced; I’ve gotten so much better. There’s nothing even close to that in Idaho around me,” said Mickelson.
“It’s been really cool to improve the way I have, and when I come back and play in Idaho, everything is just slower to me.”
A post with the capability to bring his game out to the perimeter, Mickelson has established himself as a tough and strong big-man in Idaho, and a versatile one, too.
“In the post, I’m pretty strong. I weight a lot, so I’m able to bully-ball a lot of people, and I can go into the chest of a lot of people. I’ve got a decent mid-range jumper, and my 3-ball isn’t great just yet,” said Mickelson, who also mentioned his footwork is key to his success.
“I’m working to be more fluid from the outside. My inside game is strong, but I’m going to need to expand my game to the 3-point line.”
As a freshman with Highland, his role was to come off the bench and add rebounding and toughness.
“They had me running a lot of pick and roll, which we did pretty well. I did a lot of rebounding, that was a big key for me to get minutes,” said Mickelson.
Now, he’s preparing himself for what will be a more more expanded role as a sophomore.
“I’m just getting in the gym as much as I can this offseason,” he said. “And working on my craft.”