Former Tennessee Vols guard Jahmai Mashack has the perfect stance regarding a common dig about his draft spot

"They're already calling me Mr. Irrelevant because I was the last pick of the draft, but I love it man," Mashack said. "That's what creates my passion. That's what creates my drive, and I love when people feel like I can't do something, and I go out and do it anyway and I keep on proving them wrong and proving myself right. I love that feeling, man. I feel like that's something I'm going to do there, and if you ask a lot of people who know me and have seen my journey through Tennessee, they have no doubt in their mind that I'm going to do whatever I can to be successful and to be the winner that I know I can be."

Mashack was one of the hardest workers during his time with the Tennessee Volunteers, which is something Rick Barnes previously acknowledged publicly.  That's evident with the level of elite defense that he provided on the perimeter for the Vols, earning SEC All-Defensive team honors in 2024-25.  

His hard work and character were also recognized earlier this year when he was given the honor by the University of Tennessee as a Torchbearer, which is the highest honor the school gives to its students. Mashack was the first in the program in 72 years to receive it. 

It will be a battle for him to earn a place on the Grizzles roster for the start of the 2025-26 season, but after what he's achieved so far in his career, who would bet against him?