Former New York Knicks forward Anthony Mason, 48, is 'fighting for his life' after suffering massive heart attack

• Retired NBA writer Peter Vecsey tweeted the 48-year-old athlete suffered congestive heart failure and had four surgeries
• New York Knicks tweeted: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with Anthony Mason and his family' 
• Mason played for six different teams between 1989 and 2003, including five seasons with Knicks

Former New York Knicks power forward Anthony Mason is in a critical condition tonight after a massive heart attack.

Retired NBA writer Peter Vecsey tweeted earlier Wednesday that the 48-year-old athlete suffered congestive heart failure and had four surgeries over the course of nine hours.

His two sons, Anthony Jr and Antoine, are currently at his bedside at the hospital. Mason's mother, Mary, will celebrate her 90th birthday tomorrow.

'Fighting for his life': Former New York Knicks power forward Anthony Mason (pictured left in 1995 and right in 2013) is in critical condition tonight after a massive heart attack

Mason's old team sent out this tweet Wednesday as news of his health crisis began circulating online 

According to Vecsey, the 6-foot-7, 350lbs Mason has been struggling with heart problems recently.

On Wednesday, he was at a hospital undergoing tests when he suffered a heart attack.

While the Knicks would not directly address Mason's health crisis, the team sent out a tweet that read: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with Anthony Mason and his family.'

Mason played for six different teams between 1989 and 2003, including five memorable seasons with the Knicks in the mid-90s.

In 1994, he helped the New York team reach the NBA Finals. A year later, Mason was named the league's Sixth Man of the Year, and in 2001 he became an All-Star with the Miami Heat.

Athlete: Mason played for six different teams between 1989 and 2003, including five memorable seasons with the Knicks

Storied career: The power forward averaged 10.8 points and 8.3 rebounds a game over the course of his 13-season career

Known for his aggressive, physical style on the court, Mason gave himself the nickname 'Locksmith', saying, ‘Put me on anybody, and I’ll lock them up,' according to the New York Post. 

The power forward averaged 10.8 points and 8.3 rebounds a game over the course of his 13-season career. He made more than 50 per cent of his shots in a total of 882 games, reported CBS Sports.

A native of Miami, Florida, Mason grew up and went to school in Queens, New York. In 1988, Mason was drafted out of Tennessee State University by the Portland Trail blazers as a third-round pick.

Both of Mason's sons followed his in footsteps: Anthony Jr played for St John's University between 2005-2010, and Antoine is currently a guard on Auburn University's team.