Size, shooting and toughness are a lethal combination when a player can put them together in the game of basketball.

It’s rare to find a player with that combination of skill and tenacity, which is why the George Mason coaching staff went all in on Austin Ball when the West Virginia native first caught their eye this past summer.

A dynamic 6-foot-7 inch wing from Man, West Virginia, Ball was identified by recruiting analyst Jamie Shaw as one of the top shooters in the Class of 2023. But that strength is only one part of his dynamic skill set.

“Austin has this different vibe to him that you really want to find in a player,” head coach Kim English said. “What stands out most is that he plays the game with an edge. He’s a winner, a state champion and an incredibly humble, hard-working, tough kid.”

As a junior at Man High School, Ball averaged 20.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while leading the school to its first Class A state title in program history. Ball garnered First Team All-State accolades for his efforts during the title run.

Ball then reclassified to 2023 and enrolled at the Miller School outside Charlottesville for his prep year. This past season, on a team that featured depth at every position, Ball scored a team-best 12.5 points in just 16 minutes per game. He led the team in 3pt FG made (38), shot 37.5 percent from deep and 53 percent overall.

A First Team All-VIC selection, Ball also garnered First Team All-State accolades in 2022.

“Austin’s really going to enhance our attack,” associate head coach Dennis Felton said. “He fits with our program because of the way he shoots the ball. We really covet and value that. But our fans are also going to love the over-the-top enthusiasm and spirit in which he plays the game. When he does something well on the court, he gets really fired up about it. I think he’s going to become a fan favorite.”

Indeed, energy and enthusiasm are mentioned whenever inquiring minds ask about Ball’s intangibles.

A self-proclaimed “charge taking machine,” Ball prides himself on making the lunch pail plays that rarely show up in the box score but always feature on teams which find success.

“He talks about the glory he feels when he can step in and take a charge,” English said. “I want guys who have that fire. He’s going to give his all for Mason.”

Ball is a consensus 3-star prospect who’s ranked as the No. 6 player in Virginia by 247Sports. He chose Mason over offers from West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Richmond, among others.

The intensity he brings on the court carries over the film room and in his day-to-day life, where Ball proves to be a vocal leader and a force of positive energy.

“He just captures you with his personality, his smile and his humor,” assistant coach Nate Tomlinson said. “He’s a guy that everyone loves to be around and he has such a good spirit about him. It’s really hard to shut him up, which is a great thing for us coaches.”

Size.

Shooting.

Toughness.

Austin Ball has it all. And Mason fans can get ready for that electric personality to energize EagleBank Arena next season.