Feature: All-American Mason Mottashed
Published on May 8 2025Written by Jennifer Bailey
From Placerville to All-American: Mason’s CR Journey Fueled by Faith and Grit
With roots in a small-town driveway and faith as his foundation, Mason’s path to College of the Redwoods — and a full-ride scholarship — proves that purpose and perseverance go hand in hand.
Long before Mason first suited up for the College of the Redwoods men’s basketball team, his future was already in motion. His first word? “Ball.” What began with a plastic hoop in Placerville has grown into a remarkable journey marked by resilience, faith, and relentless work — culminating in a full-ride scholarship to Western Colorado University.
Mason grew up in Placerville, a small, tight-knit town nestled between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Life there revolved around family, faith, and basketball. The second youngest of four boys, Mason looked up to his oldest brother, Dillon—ten years his senior—not only as a sibling but as a source of inspiration. “He was just big on basketball,” Mason recalled. “He’s the reason I started playing. He’s the reason I still play.”
But like any meaningful journey, Mason’s path to success wasn’t a straight line. Though he spent his early years shooting hoops with his brothers, it wasn’t until fourth or fifth grade that he finally joined a team. “I was scared for some reason,” he admitted. “But I’d been playing my whole life with friends and family.”
Losing often—especially to his big brother—was part of the early experience. “I could never beat him,” Mason said. “It kept me humble. That was probably my first big upset, honestly,” he said with a laugh.
Finding Faith and Confidence
Mason’s basketball career has been deeply intertwined with his personal development. Growing up, he struggled with confidence despite his talent. “I would put in so much work, but when it came time for games, I just couldn’t figure out how to translate it.”
A pivotal shift happened in high school when instead of attending Ponderosa High School, where his two older brothers attended, he attended Union Mine High School instead. There, he met a coach who didn’t just see potential—he believed in it. “He just fed me confidence,” Mason said. “And that changed everything.”
That same struggle resurfaced during his freshman year at College of the Redwoods (CR), despite a strong start and high expectations. “I hit a wall,” Mason said. “But I kept praying and telling myself: trust your work.” The unwavering support from CR’s coaching staff—Bisio, Justin, and Zac—helped Mason finally break through that mental block.
And by the end of his sophomore year, he was an All-American.
“I give all the glory to God,” Mason said. “I talked to Him a lot. There’s no reason to not be confident when you’ve worked so hard. It’s just about letting go, trusting, and having fun.”
The Power of Purpose
Faith plays a central role in Mason’s life. Though he grew up attending church, sports eventually took over weekends, and his relationship with God faded. But during his senior year of high school, life off the court became a little more complicated. That’s when he turned back to faith—and found purpose. “Since then, everything opened up,” he said. “Every day is an opportunity.”
That sense of purpose led him to CR, even when it meant leaving home for the first time. “I’m a mama’s boy,” he smiled. “I didn’t want to leave home. But something about CR just felt right. This is where I’m supposed to be.”
The sense of brotherhood, both on and off the court, sealed the decision. “It felt like a family,” he said. “The people here are genuine. It just felt like home.”
The Work Behind the Glory
Mason’s daily routine as a collegiate athlete was as rigorous as it was disciplined: early morning lifts with teammate Brandon Lucas, hours of shooting, practice, film sessions, homework, and recovery. “It’s basically a job,” he said. “College coaches go out of their way to recruit you. The least you can do is give everything back.”
His advice to incoming players? “Keep working. A lot of people think college ball is the end goal. But it’s just a stepping stone. If you keep working, you can go even further.”
For the 13-year-old kid dreaming of playing at the next level, Mason’s message is even more grounded: “Stay away from the party scene. Surround yourself with the right people. Make the right decisions off the court—and the game becomes so much easier. Most of all, have fun. If you love it, you’ll want to play. And the more you play, the better you’ll get.”
Looking Ahead
Mason recently committed to Western Colorado on a full-ride athletic scholarship. Just like his decision to come to CR, the clarity came through prayer and patience. “I was praying for days,” he said. “And then the answer came. It felt just like when Bisio recruited me. I knew it was the right decision.”
Leaving CR—and especially his younger brother Blake, now a rising high school star—won’t be easy. “It sucks that I’ll miss his junior and senior years,” Mason admitted. “But I’ll be streaming every game I can.”
Mason will take more than memories with him. He carries a tattoo of the number three on his forearm, the jersey number his brother Dillon wore after his favorite player, Dwayne Wade. For Mason, the number is more than homage—it’s a reminder of why he started.
More Than a Game
When asked what brings him joy, Mason doesn’t mention points, stats, or awards. “People,” he said. “My family, my best friends. They’re my reset button.”
CR, he said, will always hold a special place in his heart. “Every person here has been part of my journey. I’ll miss them all, but I’ll carry those connections with me for the rest of my life.”
As Mason prepares for his next chapter in Gunnison, Colorado, one thing is certain: the ball will stop bouncing one day, as his mom, Jodi, says, but the lessons—the faith, the friendships, the hard-earned confidence—will stay with him forever.
Because, at the end of the day, Mason’s not chasing stardom. He’s chasing growth. He’s chasing joy. And he’s showing others that it's okay to stumble—as long as you keep getting back up.