Tennessee Basketball’s Jahmai Mashack Tied to Confusing NBA Trade, Mom Clarifies Details

Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee basketball’s Jahmai Mashack saw his name be called on the stage of the 2025 NBA Draft when he was selected with the final pick by the Houston Rockets, with his rights being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

With the trade still not finalized, Mashack saw his name show up in NBA news again when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that he was a part of a historic seven-team trade.

The former Vol was being dealt to the Golden State Warriors in the deal. Other substantial pieces included Kevin Durant and Clint Capela to the Houston Rockets, as well as Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to the Phoenix Suns.

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This doesn’t mean Mashack is necessarily headed out to San Fransico, though. His mother, Meika Mashack, clarified that the plan is still for the trade to go through to keep him in the Volunteer State with Memphis. He just needs to wait for the initial draft night trade to go through, now in the hands of the Warriors.

She also responded to a question about the timing of the trade. She said she hopes the trade will be finalized in time for Mashack to play in the team’s Summer League game on Monday. The Grizzlies began their stretch of games on Friday, but Mashack was unable to participate.

“He’s been fully involved as much as possible but unable to practice w/team at all until officially official,” Meika Mashack wrote on her X. “It’s giving….Stir crazy vibes but he’ll figure it out! Lol

“Gotta keep his mind right & focus on the blessing of it all.”

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Mashack played four seasons at Tennessee, where he became known as possibly the best defender in the country. As a senior, he was named the Field of 68 National Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts. He also averaged six points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while starting in all 38 contests.

He was a key part of back-to-back Elite Eight appearances, two of the three times the program has ever reached that point. While in Knoxville, UT went 109-36 and he played in the seventh-most games in program history (137). His nine appearances in NCAA Tournament wins are the most of any player at Tennessee, too.

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