Former NBA All-Star Anthony Mason Has Improved Slightly After His Heart Attack

NBA veteran Anthony Mason has improved slightly after a massive heart attack that had him “fighting for his life” throughout the day on Thursday, reports the New York Times.

The Times cited Dan Cronson, Mason’s agent from his playing days, who was updated by a close family member. “Right now, it’s day to day, but that’s an improvement from moment to moment,” Cronson told the paper.

Cronson also said the family has been informed that Mason may need a heart transplant if he survives.

The 48-year-old Mason, who was known to have heart issues, was at the hospital getting a checkup when the attack happened.

The leftie played in the NBA for 13 years but is perhaps most famous for his five years spent on the New York Knicks in the mid-1990s.

While there, he proved himself as a physical big man with immense ball-handling skills. He was a valuable member of the 1994 Knicks team that lost to the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals.

Mason won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 1995, became an All-Star in 2001 and was named to the All-NBA Third Team and All-Defensive Second Team in 1997.

Mason has two sons, Anthony Jr. and Antoine, who are both out to make a career in basketball. Anthony Jr. plays professionally in Europe and Antoine plays at Auburn University.

[New York Times]