Mason Plumlee Bio
Mason Alexander Plumlee (born March 5, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He primarily plays the power forward and center positions. As a freshman in 2009–10, he was a back-up forward for the Duke Blue Devils national championship team, playing with his older brother Miles. He was a 2009 McDonald’s All-American in high school. During his senior year at Duke, he also played with his younger brother Marshall. He was selected with the 22nd overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2013 NBA draft. Plumlee was also a member of the United States national team that won a gold medal in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Early Life and Background
Mason Plumlee was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He first attended Warsaw Community High School in Warsaw, Indiana, before transferring to Christ School in Arden, North Carolina, after his freshman year. At Christ School, Mason helped lead the team to three North Carolina High School Athletic Association state championships and a record of 99–8 over his last three years. He earned a silver medal with the 2008 USA U18 National Team at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship. Plumlee was named a 2009 McDonald’s All-American as a senior after he averaged 15.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game for the year. He was named 2009 North Carolina Mr. Basketball by the Charlotte Observer and was twice an All-State pick. In addition, he competed in the high jump in track and field, with an individual best jump of 6 feet 8 inches.
Path to Basketball
Mason Plumlee’s basketball journey continued at Duke University, where he played from 2009 to 2013. His brother Miles had originally committed to play at Stanford but chose to follow him to Duke after Stanford coach Trent Johnson left for LSU. Plumlee missed the first six games of the 2009–10 season due to a broken left wrist but returned to contribute significantly to the team. He and Miles often rotated into games together, and Plumlee quickly established himself as a valuable player. He was recognized for his athleticism and skills, earning accolades and recognition as a potential professional prospect during his college career.
Mason Plumlee Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Mason Plumlee was selected with the 22nd overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2013 NBA draft. He signed his rookie-scale contract with the Nets on July 3, 2013. In his first game against his brother Miles and the Phoenix Suns, he recorded 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Plumlee’s breakout performance came when he played 26 minutes against the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring 19 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2014, becoming the first Net to achieve this since Brook Lopez in 2009. Plumlee averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game during his rookie season.
Breakthrough (2015–2020)
In June 2015, Plumlee was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He continued to develop his game, recording multiple double-doubles and showcasing his passing ability. In the 2016 playoffs, he recorded career highs of 21 rebounds and nine assists in a single game, becoming the first player with such a performance since LeBron James in 2010. Plumlee was traded to the Denver Nuggets in February 2017, where he played a significant role as a backup to MVP center Nikola Jokic. He was part of the Nuggets team that reached the Western Conference Finals in 2020, overcoming multiple 3–1 series deficits.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Mason Plumlee has been recognized for his contributions on the court, including being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and winning an NCAA championship with Duke. His ability to adapt and excel in various roles has made him a valuable asset to every team he has played for.
Mason Plumlee Award Nominations
Mason Plumlee has received several nominations throughout his career, particularly during his time in college and his early years in the NBA, including recognition as a consensus second-team All-American in 2013 and being named to the All-ACC teams.
Mason Plumlee Awards Won
Mason Plumlee’s achievements include winning the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2014 and an NCAA championship in 2010. He also received the Pete Newell Big Man Award in 2013 and was named North Carolina Mr. Basketball in 2009.
Mason Plumlee Family
Mason Plumlee grew up in a sports-oriented family. His parents, Perky and Leslie Plumlee, were both basketball players, with his father playing at Tennessee Tech and his mother at Purdue. He has two brothers, Miles and Marshall, who also played basketball at Duke, and a sister, Madeleine, who played volleyball at the University of Notre Dame. The Plumlee brothers made history as the sixth pair of brothers to play at Duke simultaneously.
Personal Life
Mason Plumlee is a Christian and has expressed the importance of faith in his life. He has spoken about the significance of walking by faith and trusting in God’s plan. His family background in sports has greatly influenced his career, and he continues to be an active participant in the basketball community.
