Shelton State CC: Comes to UWA by way of Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Ala. ... Named the Alabama Community College Conference Defensive Player of the Year ... Helped guide the Bucs to a 34-4 record last season and a berth in the national tournament ... Spent one season at Snead State Community College.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. ... A four-year letterwinner for the Railsplitters ... Earned All-Start status at the ABCS Camp and was a candidate for McDonalds All-American honors ... A four-year member of the ALHS football team, was named All-City linebacker and receiver ... Participated in track and field on the prep level, placing fourth in the high jump in the California Invitational ... Turned in a second-place mark in the triple jump ... Member of the Brooklyn USA AAU basketball squad ... The Brooklyn organization competed in the Las Vegas Invitational and the Adidas Invite along with the Big Tim Showcase in Las Vegas, Nev. ... Participated in junior semi-pro football with the Brooklyn Patriots.

PERSONAL: Shawn Mason was born on June 15, 1984 in Brooklyn, N.Y. ... Son of the late John Mason and Sandra Mason ... Has four siblings - Cori (27), Juan (23), Eddie (21) and Noha (30) ... Models his game after Ron Artest and John Starks ... Biggest thrill in sports was playing in Madison Square Garden as a freshman in high school ... Hobbies include being around friends and family, boxing, baseball and handball ... Chose UWA because of former SSCC teammates Jason Swanson and Lucas Hall ... Other college choices include Cal-Poly, Youngstown State and Manhattan ... Career objective is to be in the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a sniper shooter.