Editor's Note: To celebrate 50 Years of George Mason University men's basketball in 2016-17, Voice of the Patriots Bill Rohland put together a decade-by-decade breakdown of his best players to wear the Green & Gold. Check back to GoMason.com weekly in August and September as another decade is unveiled. Have your own all-decade teams or want to talk more with Bill on his selections? Reach out to him via Twitter at @BillRohland.
By Bill Rohland
Photo Caption (L to R): Jai Lewis, Lamar Butler, George Evans, Tony Skinn, Ahmad Dorsett
Today's entry marks the best decade of success in program history, as Mason made three NCAA appearances and two NITs during the 10 year stretch and started a run of 15 straight seasons with winning records. Of course, the decade was capped off by the amazing Final Four run, but our
Player of the Decade George Evans (1997-2001) helped establish a winning tradition before March of 2006. Evans made his case to be considered the best player in Mason history by being named CAA Player of the Year three times, CAA Defensive Player of the Year three times, and AP All American (Honorable Mention) once.
Evans finished his Mason career with 1953 points (3
rd all time) and 953 rebounds (4
th all time). He is Mason's career leader in steals (218) and blocks (211) and is in the top 10 in numerous other categories. Evans was key in leading the Patriots to two CAA titles (1999, 2001) and along with coach Jim Larranaga is credited with turning around the program after eight straight losing seasons.
All Decade Team:
Lamar Butler 2001-2006…6'2 guard…averaged 10+ points/game every year at Mason…member of Final Four team…scored 1488 points…#1 in career 3 pointers (295)…#6 in career 3 point % (.392)…'02 CAA All Rookie team…'05 CAA Second Team.
Ahmad Dorsett 1996-2000…6'2 guard…made 174 career 3 pointers (4th all time)…member of CAA Rookie team '97…hit 38.8% from 3 his final 3 seasons…member of the 1999 CAA Championship team.
Erik Herring 1997-2001…6'5 wing…2x All CAA selection ('00 2nd team, '01 1st team)…1315 career points…2001 CAA tournament MVP…5th all time in 3 point % (.394)…Seventh all time in 3 pointers made (163)…2x CAA Championship team member.
Jon Larranaga 1999-2003…6'7 forward…versatile player …finished with 253 career assists…980 points…502 rebounds…SR year averaged 13.1p/4.6r/3.8a…2x CAA defensive team ('02, '03)… 8 steals in game vs Coastal Carolina (12/20/2001).
Jai Lewis 2002-2006…6'7 forward…'03 CAA rookie team…3x All CAA team (1st team '04, '06, 2nd team '05)…1519 points…895 rebounds…had 20 points, 7 rebounds in 2006 Region Final vs UConn…member of Final Four 2006.
Jason Miskiri 1997-1999…6'2 point guard…scored 792 points in just two seasons as a JuCo transfer…averaged 15.8 points and 4.1 assists in career…2x All CAA selection (2nd team '98, 1st team '99)…1999 CAA championship team member.
Tremaine Price 1997-2001…5-10 point guard…2x CAA championship team member…lead CAA in assists in '01 (4.7 a game)…finished with 308 career assists (11th all time)…had 6 assists in '01 NCAA Tournament vs Maryland.
Tony Skinn 2003-2006…6'1 guard…scored 1079 points in just 3 seasons…2x All-CAA ('05 3rd team, '06 2nd team)…had 14 points/4 assists in NCAA win over Wichita State…member of Final Four team…hit 76.6% in his career from FT line.
Jesse Young 1999-2003…6-10 forward…1073 career points…708 rebounds…All-CAA First Team ('02)…had 12 points/9 rebounds in '01 NCAA tournament vs Maryland…Second in CAA in rebounds per game ('02,'03).
