Oswego East’s Mason Lockett has some unfinished business on the basketball court as he looks forward to his upcoming senior season.
Off the court, however, all the pieces are in place for the 6-foot-5 guard.
“It was fun,” a relieved Lockett said, referring to a recruiting process that ended up netting him 15 offers. “But it wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be.
“Actually, I didn’t think I’d get as many offers as I did, but I wanted to make my decision before the season. That way I can almost play for fun and just worry about winning.”
That concept will be first and foremost for Lockett, who verbally committed last weekend to DePaul. With his future settled, it will allow him to keep his focus on his game this winter.
Lockett, who boasts a strong all-around game, also makes winning easier for the Wolves. A preseason concussion idled the second-year starter for the first four games before a foot stress fracture ended his season early.
Overall, Lockett was limited to just 16 games for Oswego East (21-10), which went 13-3 with the all-conference selection on the court but 8-7 without him.
“I’m not used to missing games,” Lockett said. “It was horrible.”
Oswego East’s season came to a close in a regional final with a nine-point loss to eventual state champion Benet in a game the Wolves led by four with 90 seconds remaining.
“I would have been able to play in the next game,” a frustrated Lockett said. “I was two days away from being cleared.”
He was still able to impress, though, averaging 16.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, four assists and two steals. The injuries, however, likely cost him all-state recognition.
“Mason’s season was cut short but he did some terrific things,” Oswego East coach Ryan Velasquez said. “He can score the ball at all three levels and impacts the game in so many ways. I love that he rebounds as a guard. He handles the ball as well.
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“At the next level, I could see him maybe as an off guard. He had a good summer for us and in the travel circuit. His recruitment was ramping up this year.”
Lockett, whose final three choices included Saint Louis and Loyola, picked the Blue Demons for several reasons.
“It’s great to be close to home so my family and friends will be able to see me play,” he said. “They don’t want me to change my game but have stressed they want to continue my development.
“I was impressed that the whole staff was invested and interested in me, and watching coach (Chris) Holtmann run a practice last year on my unofficial visit and seeing one game, you could see he was elite.”
Lockett, a 5-7 point guard in junior high, plans to add weight and get stronger. He also believes he may not be done growing.
“My dad is 6-1, but I get my height from my mom’s side of the family,” he said. “My grandfather on that side is 6-6.”
On top of that, Lockett impressed in his second season playing with his travel team, starting with a 29-point effort in his first game back.
“I knew I had to go out and show what was missing after being out,” Lockett said. “I would say I’m a good scorer and a good playmaker. I like to get my teammates the ball.
“And on the flip side, I can guard the other team’s best player.”
Lockett cited up-and-coming juniors Jacsen Tucker and Dshaun Bolden as newcomers who should help boost Oswego East’s prospects this season as the Wolves look to top 20 wins.
It’s something they have done in each of their last seven full seasons, covering Velasquez’s tenure. They posted 10 wins in 2020-21, a season shortened to 13 games due to the pandemic.
And it’s why Lockett resisted people who suggested he move to a prep school.
“I didn’t want to change,” he said. “I wanted to carry on our winning culture and be a part of it.”