Sometimes out of tragedy comes triumph. While 2020 took a toll on many, it was especially difficult for Brandon Mason, after losing his star recruit, mentor, and former college coach, all in a span of 1 month, he decided to…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inSometimes out of tragedy comes triumph. While 2020 took a toll on many, it was especially difficult for Brandon Mason, after losing his star recruit, mentor, and former college coach, all in a span of 1 month, he decided to resign from his assistant coaching position at New Mexico State University, to put his focus back on his family. “I just knew that having 3 boys of my own that are 13, 11, and 9, whatever I do next was going to involve them”. What came next was a dual opportunity to give back and honor. After some soul searching and advice from colleagues, Mason knew what he had to do. “I knew that there was a need in New Mexico for kids to give them guidance and put them in a position to be successful. That’s when I realized that I could do something positive in the community and do something for the JB White foundation and his family.” The positivity has landed his JB White program on the PrepHoops Next Circuit and PrepHoops Next is proud to provide him and his team with a platform to continue to honor the legacy of their fallen alum.
For more information on the Prep Hoops Next Circuit, check out PrepHoopsNext.com/Circuit.
Basketball Lifer:
It’s always fun to talk basketball with basketball lifers. Brandon Mason is the definition of a basketball lifer. After a stellar career at Morgan Park High School in Chicago, playing for legendary coach Herb Ray, Mason went on to play for Hall of Fame coach Lou Henson at New Mexico St. In 4 seasons with the Aggies he was a member of the 1000 point club and twice named team defensive player of the year. After a decorated career both in the US and Overseas, that included a championship with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds in 2006, Mason was hired by New Mexico Head Coach Steve Alford, “And that’s when my coaching career got started”, says Mason.
The Roster:
Mason has done a terrific job of both discovering and developing size and length. JB White has a roster that contains several future wing and big prospects, as well as a few players that have already had an impact on the Prep Hoops Next Circuit.
Jalin Holland 6’1 CG 2025
Coaches Take on Jalin
He is an elite scoring guard. His brothers played D1 college basketball. He’s an elite scorer and shooter that has a knack for putting the ball in the basket and that is going to knock down a minimum of 4 3’s per game. He has a really good skillset and the ability to use his footwork to shot fake, to get to the basket. He’s strong, and because of his football background, he doesn’t shy away from contact.
Daniel Lavato 6’6 C 2025
Coaches Take on Daniel:
He’s an elite rebounder. If you put him anywhere on the court he rebounds out of his area and finishes. You don’t expect him to grab it off the board and push it the length of the court, but he can finesse through the lane and finish. He’s long and can finish around the rim, his motor is one of his best traits. He’s a high-level rebounder and will probably start getting recruited just because of his size and physicality.
Nigel Walls
Nigel
Walls
6'8" | C
NM
6’7 C 2025
Coaches Take on Nigel
He’ll be playing with us in the West Coast portion. He shot blocks and rebounds and can finish with both his right and left hand with his jump hook. He’s long and still growing, he’s going to be an elite talent coming out of New Mexico.
Remy Albrecht 5’9 PG 2025
PrepHoops Next Write Up from Dec 2020
Major handle to go along with crazy confidence, Albrecht broke dudes down off the dribble, showed off his float game in the lane, and wasn’t afraid to launch from deep. He knocked down several college range 3’s and a few of them were in catch and shoot action. Albrecht is going to be an exciting PG prospect to monitor over the next few years.
Coaches Take on Remy
He gets into the lane and finishes, he’s been making 3’s like crazy. He’s working out every day, getting into the gym, and getting in work.
Brandon Mason Jr. 5’6 2026
Coaches Take on Brandon
He plays on the 7th and 8th-grade team for JBW and had two games in Cypress of 20 or more points. He finished the championship game with 12 points and is an elite shooter. He’s only 5’6 but will start stretching out really soon. He put the ball in the basket really well in Cypress. He’s going to be one of the best shooters on the circuit.
James Murray 6’4 SG 2025
Coaches Take on James
He is a monster in transition. We have to find a way to get the ball to him in transition. He’s so unselfish, he has the ability to euro in transition draw the defense, and find players for finishes and threes. I really think that he will be a mid-major + prospect at a minimum.
Ruben Malendez 5’9 2026
Coaches Take on Ruben
He plays on both the 7th and 8th-grade teams. Defensively he put on a show in Cypress. He’s a lockdown defender that plays with a dog mentality on defense. He’s a big-time sleeper for us, and probably the best glue guy for the team.
David Lund 5’10 2027
Coaches Take on David
He starts on the 6th and 7th-grade team at 12 years old. He can dribble, pass and shoot, and play bully ball. A Charles Barkley clone, he has the ability to grab a rebound and push the ball. He finishes down low like Big Baby Davis. He does the same stuff Barkley used to do except dunk it. He bounces people off of him, and can quickly finish underneath the basket.
Evan Nanez 5’4 2027
Coaches Take on Evan
He is a solid PG that won’t turn the ball over and plays with poise. He’s a high-level PG that makes the correct decision every time down the floor and will take the ball away from the other team. A high IQ kid with an amazing feel, that just understands how to make winning plays.
Kaden Miller 5’4 2027
Coaches Take on Kaden
He may wind up as the leading scorer for the 6th-grade team, he is an elite bucket. He’s a complete scorer at the 6th-grade level. He can split traffic, get to the bucket with a euro step, finish, and knockdown step-back 3’s.
Jayden Leverett 6’6 2025
Coaches Take on Jadyen
I wouldn’t call him a sleeper, he’s more a diamond in the rough. He’s kind of raw, but when he figures it out he’s going to be recruited. He’s still developing but he’s about 6’6 – 6’7 but is a young kid having just turned 14 December 23rd.
Isaiah Cavazos 5’5 2027 and AJ Curtis 5’5 2027
Coaches Take: Cavazos and Curtis are two up and coming players for JB White’s 6th-grade class. They are both described by coach Mason as elite shooters.
A little bit of travel
February 6th – 7th West Coast Kick-Off, Ladera Ranch, CA
February 13th – 14th El Paso league El Paso, TX
February 20th – 21st Made Hoop
March 12th – 13th Sooner State Showdown Edmund, Ok
April 9th – 11th War in the Valley Gilbert, AZ
May 14th – 16th Southwest Region Final Dallas, TX
Goals for JB White
Many teams focus on winning, however, JB White’s mission is a bit different. “The goals that I have for the team have nothing to do with winning any games at all. It’s about representing the state of New Mexico and playing as hard as you can every single possession.
