Transfer Antoine Mason, nation's top returning scorer, quickly 'jelling' with Auburn teammates

BALLANTYNE, North Carolina -- The nation's top returning starter is fitting in nicely at Auburn.

Antoine Mason averaged 25.6 points per game last season at Niagara before transferring to Auburn in June for his final season of eligibility. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound guard to the Tigers over Providence, Cincinnati and Memphis despite having never spoken to head coach Bruce Pearl.

"The assistant coaches -- Chuck Person and Coach (Tony) Jones did a great job," Mason said Wednesday during SEC Tipoff 15 in south Charlotte. "I was talking to them, and they were basically his eyes and ears. They told me what he was like and made me feel comfortable."

Mason has developed a quick bond with his Auburn teammates, especially senior guard KT Harrell, who averaged 18.3 points per game for the Tigers in 2013-14. Pearl will rely on Harrell and Mason this year to fill the scoring void left by point guard Chris Denson, who averaged 19.1 points per game during his senior season.

"We're jelling quicker than I expected, especially with a bunch of new players," Mason said. "It's running smoothly. I'm learning to play off the ball and I have a good scorer to rely on throughout the game. It's not going to be clashy. That's one thing I saw right away and I'm proud we're gelling so quickly."

After his one season at Auburn wraps, Mason hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father, Anthony Mason, who starred in the NBA for the Nets, Nuggets, Knicks, Hornets, Heat and Bucks from 1989 to 2003.

Only one Auburn product, in the last six years has made the cut on an NBA roster -- Marquis Daniels. Mason, however, picked Auburn because he felt Pearl gave him the best chance to progress to the the next level.

"I felt in order to reach my goals, which is to go to the NBA, I had to got to a higher level and get more exposure," Mason said. "To have the opportunity to be coached by (Pearl) is a blessing. My dad respects him a lot."

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