Mason Walters, a 2019 Jamestown HS grad, named NAIA National Player of the Year in men's basketball

By Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Mason Walters, a 2019 graduate of Jamestown High School and current men’s basketball standout at the University of Jamestown, was named National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Player of the Year on Tuesday, March 21.

The 6-foot-9 senior forward has been a key player for the Jimmies the last four seasons earning First Team NAIA All-American honors three times.

During his collegiate men’s basketball career at the University of Jamestown, Walters posted 70 career double-doubles. Walters scored 20-plus points in 30 of 34 games during his senior season this winter.

At the NAIA level this season, Walters made the most field goals in the country (347) and was first in points scored with 904. Only one collegiate men’s basketball player scored more points than Walters in 2022-23 – Antoine Davis of NCAA Division I Detroit Mercy who scored 930 points this season.

Walters was second in the NAIA in points per game (26.6), points per 40 minutes (35.3), and fourth in total rebounds (321).

Walters finished his men’s basketball career at the University of Jamestown with 2,662 career points and 1,239 rebounds. He has one season of eligibility remaining, but is currently undecided where he’ll continue his collegiate men’s basketball career.

Walters was voted the winner of the 2019 North Dakota Mr. Basketball Award by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NDAPSSA). Walters averaged 21.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game during his senior season with Jamestown High School. Walters finished his prep boys basketball career with 1,187 points and 612 rebounds. As a prep, Walters was a NDAPSSA Class A Boys Basketball All-State First Team selection his senior season (2018-2019) and a NDAPSSA Class A Boys Basketball All-State Second Team selection his junior season (2017-2018).

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