Former Tennessee basketball defensive standout Jahmai Mashack is finally getting a chance at the NBA level. After being drafted 59th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, Mashack began his career in the G League. Now, the Grizzlies are making a move to elevate him to a two-way NBA contract, according to Shams Charania.
To make room for the move, Memphis has waived forward PJ Hall. The Grizzlies have battled through numerous injuries, making the addition of a versatile piece such as Mashack necessary.
A two-way contract means that Mashack will split time between the NBA level and the G League. Teams can have up to three two-way players on the roster, but they will not be eligible to play in the postseason unless they are signed to a standard contract.
The Memphis Grizzlies are signing their No. 59 pick Jahmai Mashack to a two-way NBA contract, his agent Adie von Gontard of Young Money APAA Sports tells ESPN. Mashack provides depth to a Memphis team decimated by injuries with four point guards currently sidelined.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 16, 2025
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It is likely that Mashack will join the Grizzlies as soon as possible due to injuries, but there is no official announcement on the timeline just yet. So far in the G League, Mashack has played in five games while producing 7.6 points, 5.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 3.4 steals per game.
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 6.0 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.
