Bella Hines, a 5‑foot‑10 guard who once topped recruiting rankings as a consensus five‑star prospect, has come full circle in her hometown of Albuquerque. After a standout season with the LSU Tigers, she is now gearing up for her second year at Texas Christian University, but before the new campaign begins she is giving back to the community that shaped her.
At the ABC Gym in Old Town, Hines ran a basketball camp that attracted roughly 100 children, from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The sessions were split by age, with younger participants learning fundamentals and older kids working on advanced techniques. Hines used the platform to share the lessons she learned on the national stage, emphasizing hard work, discipline and the joy of the game.
A Decision Day in the Making
Among the camp’s attendees was Brandon Mason Jr., a top‑100 recruit in the class of 2027 who has already drawn scholarship offers from a dozen programs. Mason, the son of former New Mexico State star Brandon Mason — now director of ABC Prep — soaked up drills and mentorship from Hines, who praised the youngster’s hunger and coachability.
Mason’s future remains a focal point for local fans. He is set to announce his college decision on a live broadcast by the Albuquerque Journal, co‑hosted by sports editor Geoff Grammer. The decision will cap a recruitment journey that has included visits to the University of New Mexico, Grand Canyon University, Xavier, Boise State and Ohio University.
The broadcast promises to highlight not only Mason’s personal ambitions but also the broader impact of homegrown talent on New Mexico’s basketball landscape. Hines’ return and Mason’s upcoming choice underscore a growing pipeline of talent that could shape the state’s sports narrative for years to come.