Anthony Mason dies at age 48

Former NBA standout Anthony Mason dies at 48

Anthony Mason, the rugged forward whose toughness and relentlessness fueled his journey from afterthought to NBA All-Star, died early Saturday after suffering a massive heart attack and being diagnosed with congestive heart failure earlier this month. He was 48.

Eddie Mata, who interviewed Mason as part of his "Where Are They Now In Sports" video series, reported that Mason passed away at 2:36 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday. Peter Botte of the New York Daily News and ESPN New York's Ian Begley subsequently confirmed the 13-year NBA veteran's passing.

Longtime New York basketball writer Peter Vecsey first reported via Twitter on Feb. 11 that Mason was "fighting [for his] life" after undergoing multiple surgeries, including one procedure that lasted nine hours. Vecsey reported that Mason had reached 350 pounds, had been dealing with heart problems for the past year, and was at a New York-area hospital undergoing tests when the heart attack occurred, prompting him to be rushed into surgery.

His condition was told as "grave", 2 weeks before of his death.

I didn't like Anthony Mason, but he was a respectable basketball player.

RIP Mase!

"Once a knick ALWAYS a knick"

Gone but not forgotten......Knick Nation is in mourning today for one of our favorites. Mase, a native NYer, played with heart and toughness.....miss those days.

Sad news. It didn't sound too good a couple of weeks ago, but then there was talk that he was on the mend. Sounds like he was in pretty rough shape, but that's very sad for his family. RIP.

Its true he wasnt in the best shape as 90's nba fans will remember him.

He didn't look alright in his last season too.