READING, Pa. - The glow from Jaedon Mast's phone is a familiar one. It's not TikTok or Instagram, but Google Calendar. Blocks of color that represent classes, practices, photo shoots and deadlines. For the Penn State Berks men's basketball senior, organization isn't just a preference; it's a lifeline.

Mast has spent four years balancing a 3.78 GPA with nearly 90 career games, internships across campus, and his own photography business. That balancing act recently earned him the United East Senior Scholar Athlete Award for men's basketball, a recognition that felt less like a finish line and more like proof that the work he put in mattered.

"It means a lot to me," Mast said. "Playing here has definitely had its challenges and its ups and downs and just being able to push through and see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel, just some recognition for all the work … it means a lot."

Mast's to-do lists and calendar reminders are as much a part of his routine as free throws. Between practices, classes and client meetings for his photography brand, @Jshotthat, time management has become his quiet superpower.

"I'm a big fan of Google Calendar," Mast said. "I plan all my events in there. I put them in ahead, when they're going happen, what I need to do, and use to-do lists to be able to scratch things off and know that I've accomplished them."

That discipline didn't just keep him on track academically, but it also made him a better leader on the court. As a business and marketing major with a minor in entrepreneurship, Mast saw the parallels between group projects and game plans. Some days, teammates need a spark. Other days, he does.

"My dad always told me playing sports will help you succeed in the business world because leadership corresponds to both areas," he said. "Sometimes as a point guard I must be able to give that extra push and be like, 'Hey, we got to do this and this and this.' And vice versa when I have a bad day, my teammates pick me up."

Mast's education didn't end when class did. Internships with the sports information department and strategic communications office gave him hands-on experience along with a community that believed in him.

"I wouldn't be the person I am, the photographer, the videographer that I am without the people here," he said. "I've worked on sports, promotional stuff for Penn State, worked with different programs… that variety makes me a valuable asset wherever I go."

That gratitude extends beyond campus. Mast credits his parents for their constant support, through the games that were easy to watch and the ones that weren't, as well as his faith, which he points to first when talking about any success. "Thank you, God for giving me the ability to play basketball and have the knowledge," he said. "I always want to say thank you to my parents, they've been my biggest fans since I was little."

With 675 points and 116 assists on his résumé, it would be easy for Mast to pick a single shot or game as his defining moment. He doesn't. Instead, he points to the people who made the journey meaningful.

"I doubt I'll even remember most of the buckets that I scored," he said. "But I'll remember those memories that we had, the celebrations, the bus rides back. That's what I'm going to remember 10 years from now."

That perspective is why the United East Senior Scholar Athlete Award resonates so deeply. It's not just an award, it's a testament to late-night study sessions, early-morning lifts, and the decision to keep showing up.

As he prepares to graduate, Mast doesn't talk about legacy. He talks about opportunity.

"Take advantage of everything that you're given," he said. "Sometimes we don't realize the opportunities that are in front of us until it's too late. Even if you're not fully 100 percent, just chase after it. There's nothing worse than living in regret and wondering what could have happened."

For Mast, that mindset for doing the work, being organized and lifting others has carried him through four years of growth. The court, the classroom the camera lens: each one taught him something about preparation, leadership and gratitude. And as he steps into whatever comes next, those lessons feel like the real win."