Mason Cox

Cox, who played 24 games over three seasons for Oklahoma State from 2011 to 2014 after graduating that same year, was subsequently selected at pick 60 in the 2015 AFL rookie draft. He spent the entire 2015 season playing for Collingwood’s reserves team in the Victorian Football League (VFL), where he developed foundational skills in the sport and was noted for his goalkicking accuracy. Cox made his impactful AFL debut on April 25, 2016, in the prestigious Anzac Day match against Essendon. He marked his arrival by scoring the game’s first goal with his first kick within 80 seconds.

Quickly establishing a reputation for his aerial presence and ability to take contested marks, Cox secured a three-year contract extension with Collingwood in 2017. His career continued its ascent in 2018 when he delivered a standout performance, kicking a career-high five goals in the Queen’s Birthday match, for which he was awarded the coveted Neale Daniher Trophy. That same year, he played a pivotal role in Collingwood’s appearance in the 2018 Grand Final. Demonstrating his deep commitment to his adopted country, Mason Cox became an Australian citizen in 2022.

Throughout his distinguished AFL career, Cox accumulated 127 goals, solidifying his place as a pioneering international talent in Australian rules football. His remarkable transition from an American collegiate basketball player to a record-setting AFL premiership winner underscores his exceptional athleticism, adaptability, and enduring legacy within the sport.