The Collingwood Magpies have inked former Oklahoma State basketballer Mason Cox to an AFL deal after the US recruit recently starred in a footy tryout.
Collingwood beat out a host of club’s fighting for Cox’s signature and will now receive the 211cm former NCAA athlete in August as a category B rookie.
The 23-year-old had a fantastic outing at the AFL combine, measuring in as the tallest prospect in combine history and one of the top athletes at his size, comparing favourably to West Coast star ruckman Nic Naitanui in the athleticism department.
“We’re delighted Mason has decided to join us and we believe he will be a long term player for the club,” Collingwood list manager Derek Hine told the official AFL website.
“Mason’s testing results stack up favourably against athletes who have never played football previously but have successfully made the transition to the AFL.
“Mason is very clear in the challenges he faces in his transition to AFL, but he is a competitive young man who is going to attack the task with intent.
“He is really up for the opportunity.”
Cox combine numbers are eerily similar of those to Naitanui back in 2008 despite being a whole 10 centimetres bigger. His 20-metre sprint was just .12 seconds slower than Naitanui’s time of 2.88 and edged the Eagles veteran by 2cm with a 384cm running vertical jump. He also completed the three-kilometre time trial in 11.59 minutes.
“It’s a little crazy. I just went on my first trip to Australia and I’ve signed with a team,” Cox told collingwoodfc.com.au.
“I’m very excited about getting started and playing and being introduced to all the players.
“It’s going to be tough. Nothing is going to be easy, nothing is going to be given to you. There’s a lot of hard work ahead.”
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