Shelvin Mack, who helped lead the Butler Bulldogs to back-to-back college basketball national title game appearances, has foregone his final season of eligibility and will remain in this year’s NBA draft.
So far, Shelvin Mack worked out with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, and he’s met with the New Orleans Hornets, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Bobcats and Chicago Bulls. He’s the second Butler player in two seasons to leave early for the NBA Draft.
By Paul M. Banks
That’s the life of a NBA draft prospect- meetings, workouts, media grilling and constant impression management. Lots of perks though, like meeting the greatest basketball player in history.
“It’s a crazy opportunity I have and a lot of people would love to have the opportunity to see him in person, play basketball, get to talk him and see how he’s doing,” Mack said of his opportunity to meet Michael Jordan.
Mack was the second-leading scorer (16.0 PG) for the 29-10 Bulldogs. A second team All-Horizon League performer in 2010-11, he was named the Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA Southeast Regional, and All-Tournament Team at the Final Four for a second consecutive year. He averaged 20.3 points in Butler’s six NCAA Tournament games.
The biggest misconception he wishes to clear up about his game is that he’s a true point guard, not a two guard.
“A lot of teams know that I’m a point guard not a shooting guard, I had to play the shooting guard at Butler for us to be successful,” he said.
And Mack believes he can fit in well with the screen-and-roll offense at the next level.
“At Butler we had a screen-and roll every single play, so I think I fit that very well.”
The 6-3 junior from Lexington, Ky., finishes his collegiate career in 11th place on Butler’s all time scoring list with 1,527 career points. He ranks fifth on Butler’s all-time assist chart with 357 career assists.
A year ago, Butler sophomore Gordon Hayward declared early for the NBA draft, and he wound up as the No. 9 pick by the Utah Jazz. Mack may join him in the Wasatch Mountains.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and Facebook