Antoine Mason to Transfer from Niagara

Redshirt junior Antoine Mason has decided to transfer, after completing his degree in finance in the spring, and will look to play his final year of eligiblity elsewhere.

Niagara Univeristy announced Mason made his decision and he will be eligible to play immediately where ever he decides to transfer to.

“I know Antoine enjoyed playing here, and I’m sure this was a difficult decision for him and his family,” Niagara head coach Chris Casey said in a statement. “Antoine played a big role in our basketball program for the past four years and we are proud that he earned his bachelor’s degree from Niagara University. Now it is time for us to move forward with the players who are committed to continuing the tremendous legacy of the Niagara University Purple Eagles.”

His release restricts him from attending any school in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference or any team on Niagara’s schedule next season, according to Zach Braziller of the New York Post. Schools on the Purple Eagles’ schedule include St. John’s, Davidson, Penn, Arkansas State, St. Bonaventure and Buffalo among others. Niagara head coach Chris Casey said he could not confirm Mason’s restrictions on his release. Casey said that the ultimate decision rests with interim athletic director Steve Butler, who is away at meetings with the school’s hockey conference members.

Mason was the second leading scorer in the country last season, scoring 25.2 points per game, but made the second team All-MAAC after the Purple Eagles’ low finish in the conference standings. He scored over 30 points in 12 of the Purple Eagles 33 games this season, including 38 points in their MAAC first round victory over Marist. He leaves the school as the third all-time leading scorer with 1,934 points.

Niagara finished 3-17 in MAAC play under Casey, in his first season as head coach.

Ryan Restivo covers the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, the America East conference and Hofstra for Big Apple Buckets. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanarestivo or contact Ryan at rrestivo[at]nycbuckets.com.