Tennessee star Jahmai Mashack fouls out in Summer League debut, still stands out for Grizzlies

Hunter Cookston

•
Tennessee star Jahmai Mashack fouls out in Summer League debut, still stands out for Grizzlies image

The last 48 hours have been crazy for former Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack. The high-energy player had been waiting for his trade to go through ever since his draft rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on draft night. Then, on Sunday, his name became part of the NBA’s record-breaking seven-team trade.

Despite all the drama, the expectation remained that the Warriors would eventually send his draft rights to the Grizzlies as planned. Later that Sunday evening, Mashack officially became a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.

After weeks without being able to practice with the team or get involved, he was finally able to do so. At his first press conference as a Grizzly, Mashack made it clear he would play with the same dog mentality he showed during his four years at Tennessee.

“It's something that I've always done. It's not something that a coach asked me to do and I decided to buy into that. It's something that I've been doing since I was 12, 13, 14 years old when I told my dad that I want to become a great basketball player. He sat me down and he told me, it's not going to be through making the most points or having the flashiest passes or looking at highlights, it's going to be being the hardest working dog that you can be. I've embraced that ever since I was in high school and college and I don't plan on doing nothing different now,” Mashack said.

Mashack showed exactly that in his first summer league game on Monday. He scored five points, dished out nine assists, grabbed four rebounds, and posted the highest plus/minus on the team.

However, Mashack has gone viral for using all of his fouls. The foul limit in the Summer League is 10, so it hasn’t been a great look. To many, it seems like he doesn’t know how to avoid fouling. But for those who have followed him over the past four years, it’s just Mashack playing hard defense while contributing in other areas of the game, staying true to the player he is.

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

Hunter Cookston

Hunter Cookston began his career as a sportswriter for the Marion Tribune, where he covered local high school football, basketball and baseball. His passion for sports started at the age of four when he played his first year of tee ball. Growing up in Tennessee, he developed a deep love for the Tennessee Volunteers and Atlanta Braves. Hunter is currently attending Tennessee Wesleyan University, where he is pursuing a BA in Sports Communications/Management.