The Memphis Grizzlies have decided against signing 2025 draft pick Jamhai Mashack.
As expected, Mashack will begin the 2025-26 season with the Grizzlies’ G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, according to Chris Herrington of the Daily Memphian. However, instead of earning $636,000 as a two-way player, Mashack will earn around $40,000.
“With Grizzlies signing O-Max Prosper to open 2-way, my understanding is that second-rounder Jahmai Mashack will join the Memphis Hustle, where the Grizzlies will maintain his NBA rights,” Herrington tweeted.
As Herrington mentioned, Memphis signed Olivier-Maxence Prosper today on a two-way deal. With Prosper in tow, all three of the Grizzlies’ minor league spots were accounted for. Prosper, the No. 24 draft selection in 2023, was waived by Dallas on August 29, so the Mavericks could sign Dante Exum.
PJ Hall and Javon Small are the other players on two-way deals.
Mashack was born on November 10, 2022, to 2000-01 Elton and Meika Maschack. Elton Mashack played four seasons at Loyola Marymount, earning All-WCC honors in the 2000-01 season, while his mother ran track for UNLV.
Mashack (aka Shack), who overcame Guillain–Barré syndrome, was the Cal-Hi Sports State Senior Player of the Year as a senior at Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The consensus four-star and a top-75 national recruit chose to play at Tennessee in 2021. He appeared in 137 games over four seasons with the Volunteers, earning All-SEC Defensive Team honors in 2024-25.
Following his senior season, Mashack attended the NBA G-League Elite Camp. While Mashack didn’t receive an NBA Draft Combine invite, the Houston Rockets did select the 6-4 wing with the No. 59 overall pick. He ended up being part of the Kevin Durant seven-team trade as Houston sent him to Golden State.
On the very same day, Golden State acquired Mashack’s draft rights, and they sent him to Memphis. The Grizzlies also picked up Justinian Jessup and a 2032 2nd-round draft pick from the Warriors. The Grizzlies sent Will Richard, the No. 56 pick in 2025, to the Warriors.
Mashack is a long, athletic, versatile lockdown defender with a 6-9 wingspan. He can guthe the entire floor due to his aggressiveness and activity with both hands and feet.
Mashack needs to improve offensively, specifically by demonstrating the ability to knock down open jumpers. While Mashack will never be an offensive juggernaut, he improved his 3-point shooting and ball-handling throughout his collegiate career.
Mashack showcased his all-around skills in five summer league contests with the Grizzlies. Mashack averaged 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks. The 22-year-old also connected on one 3-pointer a game while shooting 46.2/41.7/66.7. He scored in double-figures twice and doled out at least four dimes in four of the five contests.
By not signing Mashack, Memphis still owns Maschack’s draft rights. But, instead of going overseas as a draft-and-stash prospect, he still gets to be part of the Grizzlies organization and continue his development. Despite the Grizzlies’ decision, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that the team is still very high on Mashack.
“My understanding is the Grizzlies still value him highly after a strong summer league,” Cole tweeted.
Mashack will get plenty of time with the Hustle to improve his craft and could sign with the Grizzlies later this year or next season. Prosper, Hall, and Small will also see some time with the Hustle.
The Hustle made other roster moves this offseason. The Hustle acquired Jean-Jacques Boissy in Round 1 with Pick 5 in the 2025 International G League Draft, though they immediately traded him to the Windy City Bulls for Kiefer Sykes. Then on Wednesday, the Hustle acquired the returning rights to guard Evan Gilyard from Raptors 905 in exchange for a 2025 first-round draft pick.
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