Oswego East's Mason Lockett picks DePaul

As a late blooming prospect with a high ceiling throughout his high school career, Oswego East senior Mason Lockett has always focused on his development. The end game and what he can become as a player has been a focus for him since the day he started dreaming of playing Division I basketball.

So when head coach Chris Holtmann and his DePaul coaching staff consistently stressed development with Lockett throughout the recruiting process, it was music to the 6-5 guard’s ears. Lockett committed to DePaul on Sunday.

“Right from the start the coaches were all in on the development piece,” Lockett said. “Coach Holtmann showed the evidence of how he’s developed players during his time as a head coach. That was so important to me and what stood out. Plus, I really think it’s a very good fit for me.”

Lockett flew a bit under the radar as a freshman and sophomore in prospect circles. But he broke out last summer but dealt with injuries at the beginning and the end of his junior season.

However, he played the best basketball of his career this off season, both with his high school team and Young and Reckless on the summer club circuit. Lockett is the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s No. 3 ranked prospect in the Class of 2026.

A selfless playmaker who brings size and length to the point guard position, Lockett enhances the play of others around him with his passing and instantly processing plays with his versatility. He can play and defend a number of positions and boasts an easy, smooth feel for the game.

The cerebral guard knows there is work to do, both with his body and his game. He’s ready to combine what he can do with what DePaul can offer.

“I need to put on weight and strength while extending my range and consistency with my shot,” Lockett said. “I will be able to do that with the work I put in and that development piece.”

Lockett is thrilled with the idea of playing at the highest level and doing so close to home.

“It’s huge to be playing in the Big East and to be able to do it in front of family and friends,” Lockett said.

Lockett says he could tell the chip on the shoulder that Holtmann and the DePaul coaching staff had in raising the level of the Blue Demons program.

“I feel like I have that same chip on my shoulder,” Lockett said. “For them to believe in me the way they do is big.”

DePaul has now landed a pair of promising prospects in the Class of 2026 in Lockett and 6-10 Andrew Jensen, a legit big man out of Wisconsin.