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Doneal Mack Will Transfer From Memphis
By MFSKEN | June 16, 2008
Doneal Mack, a backup shooting guard for John Calipari’s Memphis Tigers, has decided to transfer from the University of Memphis, claiming a lack of playing time as his reason.
According to Dan Wolken of the Commercial Appeal, Mack’s father, Greg Mack was quoted as saying, “You were at the games; you know (the playing time) went down from his freshman year.” We need to know what we’re up against, and we’re not getting answers. The kid wants to play and without those answers, we can’t go into next year guessing.”
Memphis signed Mack when the admissions department at the University of Florida denied his admission. Mack was the crown jewel of Florida’s recruiting class, deemed the perfect fit for coach Billy Donovan’s system at Florida. He was thought to be the heir apparent to Corey Brewer’s spot on the wing with his ability to slash to the basket and hit the open three-point shot.
Mack arrived on campus and quickly earned his way into the Tigers’ nine-man rotation. During the 2006-07 season, Mack averaged 7.1 points while getting 14.2 minutes of playing time per game. Mack was fourth in field goal percentage and led the team in 3-point field goal percentage. His 40.5% three-point field goal percentage is the second-best mark by a freshman in school history.
This past season Mack was ninth in minutes per game at 12.5, tied for fifth in scoring at 6.9 and third in three-point field goal percentage at 36.3%. Memphis frequently used a ten-man rotation for much of the year.
There have been many rumors around the program that this was more his father Greg’s decision than Doneal’s. The former College of Charleston basketball star led his team to the NAIA national championship and was a small college All-American in 1983 and 1985.
Greg Mack was excited to see his son reach the pinnacle of college basketball this past season. His hug of Doneal at Reliant Stadium in Houston after the Tigers defeated Texas in the South Regional final has been described by Gene Sapakoff of The Charleston Post and Courier as “some kind of redemption for a proud man who matured from troubled kid to single-father, a guy who shattered stereotypes while raising a boy on values and basketball.”
We may never know why Doneal is leaving but he will be missed by the fans that enjoyed his game. Although his averages were down this past season, Mack had an ability to light it up from behind the line, leading the team in field goals made at 66, tying him for ninth in school history with Dujuan Wagner (2001-02). His career three-point field goal percentage of 37.9% leaves him in fourth place all-time behind Harry Allen, Willie Kemp and Mingo Johnson.
Clemson and LSU are listed as possible destinations for Doneal. Wherever he decides to transfer, he will always be a Tiger. I will always remember him as a guy who could come in and run the other team into the ground. Then just as the defender was catching up to him, he would always pull up for the jump shot, usually uncontested, and let it fire.
Doneal was instrumental in the Tigers incredible success these past three seasons. His contributions to the basketball program at the University of Memphis proved to be very valuable. I wish Doneal the best in his future endeavors.
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Tags: Dan Wolken, memphis tigers, University of Memphis News, commercial appeal, John Calipari, Men's College Basketball, Conference USA, NCAA Basketball, Gene Sapakoff, doneal mack, Doneal Mack Transferring, Greg Mack





























June 17th, 2008 at 16:33
this guy sucked…glad he’s gone
June 17th, 2008 at 16:51
Bill, When I did the research for this topic I was very tempted to take a “don’t let the door hit you on the a$$ on the way out” approach.
However, in retrospect he was a good kid, went to class, didn’t embarass himself, his family or the university. From a fan’s perspective what more can you ask?
The coaches however expected more weight gain and better defensive play, so they were obviously in a position of asking for more from Doneal.
I can’t imagine a time when he came into a game and I feared that peril was imminent. It’s only my opionion but I think he was a key contributor this year and I for one will miss his contributions.
Thanks for the comment.