Large Super Athletes: Mason Parris and Zion Williamson

A week or two ago, I was talking on the podcast (Bloodround, if you’re unfamiliar) about some similarities between Mason Parris, the super athletic heavyweight for the University of Michigan, and Zion Williamson, the super athletic forward/center for the New Orleans Pelicans. Initially, it was just about how they are both able to use their tremendous size, strength, and athleticism to help them flourish in their respective sport. The more I thought about it, the more I was able to recognize other similarities between the two. They both graduated High School in 2018. Mason from Lawrenceburg High School in Indiana, and Zion from Spartanburg South Carolina. They both had very impressive initial college seasons, that ended just shy of their goals, with Mason starting his college career by defeating Oregon State’s number 1 ranked Dhesi of Oregon State, then falling in the Bloodround at NCAAs, while Zion and Duke blew out Kentucky in their first game of the season, ultimately being beaten by MSU in the NCAA tournament. And they both were generally regarded (at least by the publications I pay attention to) as the #3 overall recruit for their sport. 

Each of them are now in their second year out of High School, with Mason being ranked 2nd in the country as I write this, and Zion making a strong push for Rookie of the Year and the Pelicans making the playoffs, after missing most of the first part of the NBA season. True that my comparison was initially based on their ability to use their size and speed, but as I continued to compare the two, their intelligence, strategy, and how they use their unique skills was what really stood out. Both possess the physical tools, intelligence, and leadership skills it takes to be truly special. Here, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Mason Parris about the comparisons between the two, and getting some insight into his development in his first two years at Michigan. Please enjoy this recreation of our conversation. After I briefly walked him through the concept, we get right into it;

Me: So both you and Zion are two tremendous athletes, even more amplified by your tremendous size and strength. Zion highlights often involve him using his size and strength to create space in the paint, grab crazy rebounds above 7 footers, and throw down thundering dunks. How have you been using your size and strength to your advantage this year?

Mason: Getting bigger and stronger has really helped. I think I was a little undersized last year with some of the guys I was wrestling, but putting on 30 pounds or so has helped. Guys still really need to respect my speed and quickness, which I haven’t lost with the weight gain, and are great attributes to have at this weight.

Me: Despite your tremendous High School success, both you and Zion were not regarded as the top prospects entering college. I believe most publications had you and Zion around the third ranked prospects overall. He has since proven that he was the best prospect, and consequently became the number one pick, while you have beaten Cassioppi, and are likely to meet Gable Steveson this weekend with a chance of beating the two wrestlers ranked ahead of you. Were you motivated by the doubt, and how have you used that to motivate you?

Mason: Yeah, I was underestimated by some, and I have been excited to try to prove those people wrong. Cassioppi was the last person that I lost to in High School, and I was excited going into that match, to get that chance at redemption. I still have a lot to prove.

Me: According to Wikipedia, Zion was a point guard when he started playing basketball. You can see it when he plays in his ball handling skills, court vision, and ability to read the floor and anticipate action. Your ability to wrestle and score points like a light weight reminds me of his ability to play like a smaller player. How has that action and ability helped you wrestle at heavyweight?

Mason: It’s really helped me well to try to wrestle like a light weight. When I was younger, my coaches always emphasized wrestling like a light weight, and getting better at those attacks. Now I just go out there to try to score as many points as possible, and keep up the pace of the traditionally smaller wrestlers.

Me: Another aspect of Zion is his energy on the court, and how it helps him be such a young leader on his teams at Duke and now with the Pelicans. Tell me about how you use your energy and effort to be a leader at Michigan.

Mason: This year I was named a captain of the team, which was exciting to be recognized in that way. I am not always the most vocal, or know all the right things to say, but I know that my actions speak volumes, and I try to make the right choices in practice and in competition to help lead the team.

Me: One more aspect that I see in your style, and in Zion’s game, is the intelligence that you each approach your sport with. In his ball vision and decision making, it’s evident that you study the sport and how to improve. What role does your intelligence play in your improvement?

Mason: Mat strategy is so important. Making quick adaptations and having better mat awareness has been a big improvement this season. Wrestling full time has helped me focus on these small improvements, which has helped a ton and allowed me to get closer to my full potential as a wrestler.

Me: You and Zion were both multiple sport athletes. He was also being recruited as a Tight End, as well as being one of the top Basketball prospects in the country. How has being a multiple sport athlete in High School helped you in wrestling?

Mason: I loved playing sports, and it really helped me to become a more well rounded athlete. It also helped me to just stay in shape all year round and to have better footwork. In football I was a Middle Linebacker, and I used that intelligence to help run the defense and make adjustments. I also played both ways in football, so I was constantly on the field and needed to be in great shape for that. I also was a hurdler on the track team, and shot-put, so those helped with my footwork, hip flexibility, and quickness.

Me: Final question. It’s safe to assume you can dunk right?

Mason: Oh yeah.

First of all, Mason Parris is super nice. They also say the same thing about Zion, and how he interacts with the media and fans. This was my second time getting to interview Mason, the first being after an Illinois dual a couple years back. In both instances, he was very professional, gave thoughtful answers, and you can hear his enthusiasm for the sport. That sort of enthusiasm is not something you can fake. It’s the same enthusiasm you hear in Zion’s voice when he talked about wanting to come back to Duke to compete for a college title, or when he’s talking about finally coming back from his injury to battle LeBron and the rest of the NBA greats, and when he talks about winning games versus his own stats. Mason and Zion certainly have the size and athleticism that very few are blessed with, but the humility, coachability, and chip on their shoulder to really reach the heights that few can. It’s going to be fun for me to watch these two as their careers continue to unfold, and looking for other comparisons along the way. After reading this, I hope it’s fun for you as well.