Auburn announced Anthony Mason will miss Saturday night's game against Texas A&M to remain with his family in New York following the death of his father, former NBA veteran Anthony Mason. The elder Mason passed away early Saturday at the age of 48.
Antoine Mason averages 15.2 points per game, second-most on the Auburn roster. Auburn's release did not specify how much time Mason would be away from the team.
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Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl sent out a message to Mason on Twitter shortly after the announcement:
Prayers going out to our brother @Antoine_Mason and his family during this very difficult time You made your Dad proud. #Mase @AuburnMBB
— Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) February 28, 2015 Anthony Mason often attended Antoine’s games at Auburn Arena.
"The cool thing is in certain games, if I mess up or do something, I can picture him with his facial expression, and I start laughing and get into a comfort zone,” Antoine said of his father Monday. “We have like a deep connection. He doesn't have to be here for me to know he's watching me.”