Grizzlies Add Grit and Perimeter Power by Drafting Tennessee Defensive Star Jahmai Mashack with Final Pick of 2025 NBA Draft
The 2025 NBA Draft came to a close in dramatic fashion, and while most eyes were on the top prospects and lottery shakeups, it was the Memphis Grizzlies who made a quietly bold and calculated move with the final pick of the night. With the 58th and last selection, the Grizzlies tapped into their own backyard, selecting University of Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack, a defensive standout whose grit, energy, and development arc made him one of the most intriguing sleeper picks in recent years.
Jahmai Mashack’s journey to the NBA hasn’t been a conventional one. Known more for his defensive prowess and hustle than gaudy scoring numbers, Mashack steadily climbed the ranks throughout his college career under Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes. While some players leap into the spotlight with explosive scoring or highlight-reel dunks, Mashack carved his identity through lockdown defense, intensity, and selfless basketball — attributes that may not always fill the stat sheet, but consistently help teams win.
Born in Riverside, California, Mashack brought a West Coast mentality to the Southeast, and he fit perfectly into Tennessee’s hard-nosed, physical system. In his final season as a Volunteer, he emerged as a defensive cornerstone, often tasked with shutting down the opposing team’s best perimeter player. His work ethic, court awareness, and elite anticipation allowed him to excel against top competition, and it’s no surprise that the Grizzlies — a franchise that has long prided itself on defense and toughness — were the ones to take a chance on him.
For Memphis, this isn’t just a feel-good local connection. It’s a strategic acquisition. The Grizzlies have been in search of two things heading into the offseason: depth at the guard position and a renewed defensive identity. Injuries and roster inconsistency plagued the 2024-25 season, and while stars like Ja Morant and Desmond Bane offer plenty of firepower, Memphis lacked a glue-guy who could consistently bring energy, guard multiple positions, and impact the game even without touching the ball. That’s where Mashack enters.
At 6-foot-4 with a strong frame, quick lateral movement, and elite defensive instincts, Mashack has the physical tools and mental toughness to make an NBA roster — even if his role early on is limited. In college, he wasn’t asked to score 20 a game, but he made steady improvements offensively. His jumper, once considered a liability, became more reliable in his senior year. He shot over 35% from three on limited attempts and showed comfort attacking closeouts and finishing through contact. While he may never be a primary scoring option, Mashack’s offense has caught up enough to warrant serious rotation consideration, especially for a team that values defense as much as Memphis does.
What makes Mashack’s draft story even more compelling is how well it aligns with the culture Memphis has been trying to restore. During the peak “Grit and Grind” era, the Grizzlies were led by players like Tony Allen — a defensive mastermind who didn’t need to dominate the ball to affect the outcome. While comparisons between Mashack and Allen may seem premature, the spirit is similar: both were overlooked offensively but became invaluable due to their tenacity, versatility, and willingness to embrace roles that others often shy away from.
Mashack’s ability to guard multiple positions, disrupt passing lanes, and defend full-court are traits that will serve Memphis well in a conference loaded with dynamic scorers. Whether it’s harassing guards like Steph Curry or applying pressure to wings like Devin Booker, Mashack has shown he can handle those types of assignments. More importantly, he wants them. He thrives on the challenge of shutting someone down. That mindset, rare in a league obsessed with scoring, is what makes him stand out.
Tennessee fans are already buzzing over Mashack’s next chapter. Having cheered for him as a Volunteer, many are thrilled to see him stay close to Knoxville, suiting up for a franchise just a few hours away in Memphis. The connection between Tennessee basketball and the Grizzlies has never been especially strong in terms of player pipeline, but Mashack could be the bridge that changes that narrative. His loyalty to the Vols, humility in interviews, and relentless motor made him a fan favorite in college — those qualities will likely earn him respect quickly in the NBA as well.
Grizzlies General Manager Zach Kleiman praised the pick during the post-draft press conference, calling Mashack “a culture guy” and “someone who elevates the effort of everyone around him.” Kleiman acknowledged that while some might overlook the final pick of the draft, Memphis has no intention of letting that slot go to waste. “You don’t have to be a lottery pick to make a lottery-level impact,” he said. “Jahmai is the kind of player that coaches love, and teammates trust. That matters.”
Indeed, Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins will now have the opportunity to mold Mashack into a specialist — a potential defensive anchor for the second unit or a situational stopper in close games. Early projections place Mashack in the Grizzlies’ G League affiliate to begin the season, where he’ll continue sharpening his offensive game and adjusting to the speed of the NBA. But if history is any indication, it won’t take long for his name to be called up. Defensive specialists often find their way into rotations quicker than expected — especially on teams that prioritize development and are willing to give unheralded players a real shot.
The selection also reflects a broader trend in the NBA: the return of the role player with elite defensive value. As offensive ratings continue to soar and stars become increasingly hard to guard, teams are scrambling to find players who can stay in front of elite scorers, fight through screens, and provide resistance without fouling. Mashack checks all those boxes, and in the modern NBA, that’s no small thing. Defense travels. It doesn’t slump. And for a team like Memphis, that edge could be the difference between another early playoff exit and a deep run.
It’s easy to overlook the 58th pick in any draft, but smart teams don’t treat any pick as irrelevant. That’s what separates consistent playoff teams from those stuck in rebuilding cycles. Mashack might not be the headline-maker or viral sensation of this draft class, but his impact could resonate far beyond the stat sheet. Whether it’s diving for loose balls, locking down the other team’s best scorer, or making the extra pass, Mashack is the kind of player who does whatever it takes to win.
He’s the type of player who earns his minutes the hard way — in practice, on defense, and in the little moments that don’t show up in the box score but win games. He’s not flashy, but he’s ferocious. And in Memphis, that matters.
For Jahmai Mashack, this is just the beginning. The road to the NBA was long, paved with sacrifices, and filled with doubters. But as the final name called in the 2025 NBA Draft, he enters the league with something many players don’t — a defined identity, a chip on his shoulder, and a city that’s ready to embrace him.
Whether he becomes a long-term piece for the Grizzlies or uses this opportunity as a launchpad to establish himself elsewhere, one thing is certain: Jahmai Mashack is not here by accident. He’s here because he earned it — the hard way. And now, the NBA will have to reckon with a player who’s spent his whole career proving people wrong, one defensive possession at a time.
