St. John’s basketball has long been defined by its rich and deep tradition.  It comes as no surprise when Johnnies greats are able to take their skills to the next level.  At last month’s graduation ceremony on the Queens campus, those in attendance got to see one Johnny take the next step toward a potential pro career, while witnessing a former Red Storm hero walk across the stage.

Yes, Red Storm senior Anthony Mason Jr. completed his course of study. But joining him was Walter “The Truth” Berry, who helped lead the Johnnies to their most recent Final Four back in 1985.  Berry took advantage of the online classes offered by St. John’s to finish his program in liberal studies after playing professionally in Europe in a career that spanned three decades.  Berry was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1986, but became a bigger star overseas.

Mason has since worked out with the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, and Indiana Pacers in the hopes of potentially being drafted or signing a free agent contract. Unfortunately, Mase’s five-year career with the Red Storm that was unfortunately marred by injuries over his final three seasons.  His statistics were not as gaudy as most Johnnies fans would have hoped, but Mason provided veteran leadership and an irreplaceable spark in former coach Norm Roberts’ lineup.

Arguably, Mason’s defining moment in a St. John’s uniform came at the end of the 2007-08 season, when his 3-pointer with 1.5 seconds left gave St. John’s a dramatic 65-62 victory over Seton Hall at Carnesecca Arena; a win that became even more dramatic when Jeremy Hazell’s near-70-footer that would have tied it immediately after Mason’s trifecta gave the Johnnies the lead was disallowed by the officials.

Regardless of where the road of life takes both of these great players, Walter Berry and Anthony Mason Jr. have one thing in common that can never be taken from them: Their place in the long-standing and tradition-rich history of St. John’s basketball.

Jaden Daly is currently a freelance broadcaster and the former play-by-play voice of St. John’s basketball on WSJU Radio from 2007-2009. You can also find Daly on his own blog A Daly Dose of Hoops and Twitter at, @JadenDaly.

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St. John’s 2010 Summer Basketball Camp: Two Sessions! Fundamentals and Fun!

• For boys ages 7 to 18.
• Attend multiple sessions and save $30.
• Camp Staff includes St. John’s University men’s basketball coaches.
• Top area coaches help staff the camp.
• Campers are grouped by age and ability level.
• All participants receive a free camp t-shirt.
• Prizes, awards and certificates for all campers.
• NCAA Educational Session.
• Camp is fully insured.

Session I * Five-Day Instructional Camp
August 9-13 Session, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Tuition $255 ($150 Deposit Required)

Session II * Five-Day Instructional Camp
August 16-20 Session, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Tuition $255 ($150 Deposit Required)
Or, your child can attend multiple sessions at a $30 discount:

I and II
$480
($250 Deposit)

Location
Taffner Field House
St. John’s University
Queens, N.Y.
Daily schedule includes stations to improve skill level, drills, contests and two games per day!

For More Information Call: 718-990-6225