Tevin Mack picks Texas (profile by Chris Flanagan)

[Aaron Carrara]

4* Small Forward Tevin Mack (Dreher HS - Columbia, SC) will announce his college decision at 12:30 CST today.

Stay tuned.

 

[Shambeaux]

4* Small Forward Tevin Mack (Dreher HS - Columbia, SC) will announce his college decision at 12:30 CST today.

Stay tuned.

Is it online or anything?

 

[Aaron Carrara]

Check twitter. I don't believe there is a designated media platform for his announcement.

Mack's twitter handle is @sl0wbucks

 

[Chris Flanagan]

5 minute warning. 

My prediction: Longhorns. 

However, I wouldn't be shocked if Georgia wins out. 

 

[Aaron Carrara]

Close tie between the two. Can't forget that he committed to VCU previously solely because of Shaka Smart.

Texas has to like their odds.

 

[Worster1]

Holding my breath! :blink:

 

[HornSports Staff]

 
submitted Today, 10:34 AM in Texas Longhorns Basketball By Chris Flanagan
 
Tevin Mack

Hometown: Columbia, SC (Dreher High School)

Position: Small Forward

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 185 pounds

Class: 2015

Rankings;

247 Sports - #54 (4 star)

Rivals - #61 (4 star)

ESPN - #48 (4 star)

New Head Basketball Coach Shaka Smart secured a commitment from Tevin Mack on Tuesday - actually re-secured is more appropriate in this case.

Mack originally committed to Smart and the VCU Rams last November, but was released from his letter of intent when Smart left VCU for Texas. In November Mack chose VCU over Clemson, Georgia, Connecticut, and several other schools. When Mack re-opened his recruitment, only Clemson, Georgia and Texas were seriously considered. Teams like Kansas and Michigan State attempted to make a late push, but the Longhorns and Bulldogs were widely thought of as the favorites for his signature.

When Mack committed to VCU, he cited his comfort level with the program. At the time, he told a reporter, "He [shaka Smart] is a great coach. The system they run fits my game. They get out and run, shoot a lot of shots and get out on defense, too." After comments like that, it was not a surprise to see the Longhorns make a late surge in his recruitment, ultimately landing his commitment.

Analysis

Mack is a hybrid player - although he is listed as a small forward, he can play both guard positions. Mack has above average ball skills, and a high basketball IQ. Those two traits make him a solid fit for Smart's Havoc system.

Offensively, Mack is a slasher that is more than capable of finishing plays above the rim. Although his outside shot needs consistency, the Dreher star has all the skills to become an elite scorer at the college level.

As a quick forward that will give teams fits in a fast paced style, Mack is a willing defender that often drew the assignment of limiting the opponent's top scoring threat.

He projects as a 3 to 4 year player in college, and gives the Longhorns length on the wing. The system Smart prefers will take time to implement in Austin (based on the current roster) but expectations are that the new Texas coach will maximize the talent in place rather than shoehorning players into that system. Mack's versatility is an excellent addition that adds a scoring threat in the near-term, while providing Smart with the style of play he is building toward with an eye on the future. 

 

[Worster1]

We got him - Smart choice Mr. Mack!!

Hook 'Em!

 

[utisdabomb12]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011


Woah. 

 

[Chris Flanagan]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

Woah. 


First time I heard about it but that would be huge. 

 

[tejasrulz]

Nice! I saw on another board that the LHN was key since his mom could watch him play.  B)

 

[utisdabomb12]

First time I heard about it but that would be huge. 

I figured Shaka would be interested in Florida's center and power forward commits once Donovan left. Didn't know Dickerson was interested. We need power forwards, this would be a bigger pickup than Tevin Mack. 

 

[coolhorn]

I figured Shaka would be interested in Florida's center and power forward commits once Donovan left. Didn't know Dickerson was interested. We need power forwards, this would be a bigger pickup than Tevin Mack. 

Since that particular tweet doesn't exist any more, how about a plain language recap for those of us who are digitally-challenged?

 

[utisdabomb12]

Since that particular tweet doesn't exist any more, how about a plain language recap for those of us who are digitally-challenged?

Dickerson is going to visit Texas and Texas is right in the mix. 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Tevin Mack

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Noah Dickerson at the NBA Top 100 Camp

 

[Matt Cotcher]

UT's press release on Mack's signing:

AUSTIN, Texas – Tevin Mack (Columbia, S.C.) has signed an Athletic Scholarship Agreement to play basketball next season at The University of Texas, head coach Shaka Smart announced Tuesday. The addition of Mack gives the Longhorns a three-man recruiting class that includes guards Eric Davis (Saginaw, Mich.) and Kerwin Roach (Houston, Texas).

“We’re extremely excited about adding Tevin to our program,” Smart said. “He is someone we’ve been able to develop a strong relationship with over the past two years. (Assistant coach) Mike Morrell did a great job in identifying Tevin during the summer after his sophomore year. Since then, Tevin has gotten better and better.

“He has a unique blend of scoring, length and a really nice feel for the game,” Smart continued. “In particular, his ability to make shots from the outside is something that was extremely attractive to us in the fall and remains extremely attractive to us now. We feel good about Tevin’s ability to integrate quickly with our returning team. Personality-wise, he’s a great fit and he is very competitive.”

Mack (6-6, 200), a wing from Dreher (pronounced: Drear) High School who played under head coach Jeff DiBattisto, is ranked as the No. 48 overall prospect in the nation by ESPN, No. 51 by 247Sports and No. 61 by Rivals.com. The South Carolina 3A co-Player of the Year as a senior in 2014-15, he averaged nearly 30 points and nine rebounds per game while leading his high school team to an 18-7 record and the third round of the state playoffs.

He averaged 23 points and seven rebounds per game while converting 38 percent from three-point range in his junior season. Mack also was tabbed the South Carolina 3A Player of the Year and led Dreher to the third round of the state tournament as a junior.

“As a group, Eric, Kerwin and Tevin make up a terrific foundation for our program moving forward,” Smart added. “The three of them will play really well off each other. They each bring different skills to the court, but they are all guys who can make their teammates better.”

 

[MikeV73]

How many scholarships do we have open for next season? Losing two guys, adding 4 possibly? Any insight or creative math here?

 

[utisdabomb12]

How many scholarships do we have open for next season? Losing two guys, adding 4 possibly? Any insight or creative math here?

Nah we lost 4 guys. Croaker and Walker also transferred. Pretty sure we have one scholarship left but I would have to look at the numbers again.