He was the kid from O’Dea who wasn't supposed to be that good. At least, not right away. When you look at the trajectory of Mason Williams at Eastern Washington, it’s easy to get lost in the box scores or the eventual transfer portal headlines. But honestly? The stats don't even tell half of the story.
Most fans saw a 6-foot-5 guard who could suddenly drop 30 on a random Thursday night in Cheney. They didn't see the kid playing through a literal "broken" body just to keep the Eagles afloat during a weird, transitional season.
The Seattle Roots and the O’Dea Pedigree
Mason Williams didn't just fall into the Big Sky by accident. He came from O’Dea High School in Seattle, a place that basically prints high-level athletes. If you follow Metro League basketball, you know. It’s a grind. He played under Jason Kerr, a legendary coach who doesn't give minutes away for free.
Basically, he was built for the tough stuff early on.
During his junior year at O’Dea, he was already putting up 15 points, five boards, and five assists. He was "crafty." That’s the word coaches love to use for guys who aren't the fastest but always find the open man. He played for Seattle Rotary in the AAU circuit, which is essentially a gauntlet of the best talent in the country. By the time he signed with Eastern Washington in November 2022, he wasn't just a recruit; he was a statement. Coach David Riley called him a "home run" for the program.
Then things got complicated.
Mason Williams Eastern Washington: The Sophomore Leap
His freshman year (2023-24) was mostly about learning the ropes. He played 17 games, averaged about 3.8 points, and shot the lights out from deep (nearly 47%). It was a teaser. Everyone knew the 2024-25 season would be the real test.
And man, did he deliver.
He jumped from 3.8 points to 13.9 points per game as a sophomore. That is a massive spike. You don't just "accidentally" triple your scoring output in Division I basketball. He became the guy. When the Eagles needed a bucket, they went to Mason. On January 30, 2025, he went absolutely nuclear against Idaho State, dropping a career-high 35 points.
But here is the thing people miss. He was doing all of this while falling apart physically.
The Injury Nobody Talked About
While he was ranking ninth in the Big Sky in scoring, Williams was quietly battling a nightmare of injuries. We aren't talking about a stubbed toe.
- Wrist Ligament: He had a ligament injury in his shooting wrist that should have sidelined him. He just adapted. He started driving to the rim more because flicking a jumper hurt too much.
- Groin/Hip Issues: Late in the season, he was dealing with a groin injury that turned out to be much worse.
- The "No Practice" Rule: To keep him available for games, the coaching staff basically stopped letting him practice. He would show up on game day, give everything he had, and then go back into rehab mode.
It’s actually kind of insane he shot 83.7% from the free-throw line given that his wrist was a mess. That’s pure muscle memory and mental toughness. Honestly, most players would have shut it down in December.
The Big Shot Against Sacramento State
If there is one moment that defines his time at Eastern Washington, it was February 6, 2025. The Eagles were 7-16. It was a rough year. They were playing Sacramento State, and the game was tied at 80 with the clock winding down.
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Williams had the ball.
He didn't panic. He hit a step-back three-pointer with about two seconds left on the shot clock to seal the 83-80 win. He finished that night with 29 points and six assists. It was the peak of his "Eagle" era—a reminder that despite the team's record, he was one of the most dangerous players in the conference.
Why the Iowa State Move Happened
When the season ended, the transfer portal came calling. It wasn't just about "chasing a bigger brand." It was about a fresh start and, more importantly, getting healthy. He committed to T.J. Otzelberger and Iowa State in April 2025.
The move made sense. Iowa State loves long, versatile guards who can defend and shoot. But the transition hasn't been smooth.
Shortly after arriving in Ames, the medical staff realized the "groin" issue was actually a significant hip injury. He underwent surgery in June 2025. The news was a gut punch: he’d likely miss the entire 2025-26 season.
Counting Blessings in Rehab
Right now, as you read this, Mason Williams is in the middle of a long, boring marathon of rehab. He’s back to doing defensive slide drills on concrete floors, just trying to feel like an athlete again.
He told reporters at Iowa State's media day that he didn't realize how bad the MRI would look. But he’s not bitter. He talks about "counting blessings" and being in a great environment. It’s a perspective you only get when you've spent an entire year playing through pain in front of 2,000 people in Cheney.
What's Next for the Former Eagle?
Mason has two years of eligibility left starting in 2026-27. He’s essentially a "hidden" weapon for the Cyclones now. While the Big 12 is a different beast than the Big Sky, Williams has already proven he can score at volume while injured. Imagine what he does when he can actually move his hip properly.
How to Follow His Recovery
If you're a fan of EWU or just a Seattle hoops junkie, here is how you stay in the loop:
- Watch the Iowa State injury reports: He is currently redshirting for the 2025-26 season. Don't expect to see him in uniform until next fall.
- Check the "Cyclone Alert" updates: Alec Busse and the 247Sports crew have been the best at tracking his rehab progress.
- Study the 2024-25 EWU film: If you want to see why high-major schools wanted him, go back and watch the Idaho State or Sacramento State games. The "downhill" game he developed to compensate for his wrist injury is exactly what will make him a rotation player in the Big 12.
The Mason Williams story at Eastern Washington was short, but it was loud. He wasn't just a transfer; he was a kid who gave a struggling program everything he had left in the tank. Keep an eye on Ames in 2026. He’s far from finished.