Latest news with #Mashack
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘VOLunteer' Jahmai Mashack honored for work leading to 197,000 meals for those in need
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — One Tennessee Basketball player was honored Tuesday for his work and advocacy that helped provide more than 197,000 meals for people in need. Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee said 'VOLunteers' in working in the warehouse got a surprise Tuesday morning when former Tennessee Guard Jahmai Mashack joined the assembly line and helped pack boxes of food. The nonprofit said Mashack 'embodies what it means to be a VOLunteer, both on and off the court.' Staffing halved at Knoxville community farm after AmeriCorps cuts Mashack was awarded Second Harvest's 2025 Advocacy Award, in honor of the positive impact he has made on East Tennesseans experiencing food insecurity since their partnership with him began. 'My teammates, family, my coaches, they all know what it means to me to be able to just do something that's bigger than ourselves… we have to use our platform for something bigger, and in my opinion, something just as important as putting the ball in the hoop,' said Mashack, 'No matter where I go, I want to be able to shine a light.' $722K in food shipments to East Tennessee food bank canceled by U.S. Department of Agriculture The award is styled as a food can, with the area of the label that usually lists nutritional information instead showing facts about Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee and hunger in East Tennessee. Some of those facts include that more than 202,000 East Tennesseans experience hunger and that Second Harvest serves more than 15,000 children per week. Second Harvest Chief Operating Officer Rachael Ellis said Mashack has shown a unique ability to inspire and unite others, whether that is by mentoring, advocating for hunger relief, or engaging with the community in the fight against hunger. 'His impact extends far beyond the accolades he has earned; it is felt in the hearts of teammates, peers, and community members alike.' One dead after 'serious' crash on Norris Freeway in Anderson County In March, Mashack launched the 'Mashack March Madness Virtual Food Drive' following his last-second shot helped the Vols beat Alabama. Initially, the fundraiser had a goal of $7,900, in reference to the 79 points Tennessee scored against Alabama, but by the end of the fundraiser, donations to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee surpassed $21,000. Earlier this year, Mashack also served for second straight season as Tennessee's representative on the SEC Community Service Team for men's basketball. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Zakai Zeigler, Jahmai Mashack leave unmatched legacy with Tennessee basketball as Vols season ends
INDIANAPOLIS — Zakai Zeigler buried his head into Rick Barnes' chest. The Tennessee basketball guard wrapped his arms around the coach who changed his life. Zeigler told Barnes he was sorry and that he loved him. Barnes told Zeigler he loves him. 'He's got nothing to be sorry about,' Barnes said. 'He gave us everything.' Zeigler let go and paced to the end of the bench. He draped a towel over his head and his mind raced. It played through his entire career from his first day on campus to winning an SEC title to his torn ACL to back-to-back Elite Eights. Jahmai Mashack sat a few seats away, his face in his hands and his body shaking as he mourned Tennessee falling a game shy of a Final Four. An era ended Sunday — and it is an era that should be cherished for generations of Tennessee fans alive to see it and those who will hear the stories. Zeigler and Mashack played their final game for Tennessee in a crushing 69-50 loss to Houston in the Elite Eight at Lucas Oil Stadium. 'When we look back, I think they will be the two most accomplished Tennessee Volunteer players ever,' Barnes said. The tangible achievements back up Barnes' belief. Tennessee won 109 games with Zeigler and Mashack on the roster. It was ranked for the entirety of their four seasons. The Vols won an SEC Tournament title in 2022 and an SEC regular-season title in 2023. They went to the Elite Eight in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history in 2024 and 2025. They won nine NCAA Tournament games. The only box left unchecked was a Final Four and a national title, which no Tennessee team has achieved. 'If they are remembered for anything short of being winners and elevating this program to a blue-blood level, I don't know if you can consider yourself a fan of Tennessee,' forward Cade Phillips said. That's because of who Zeigler and Mashack are. Zeigler is the ultimate underdog story. He's the kid who willed himself into a future and changed his family's trajectory. He might be 5-foot-9. He actually might believe he is 6-6. The scrappy soul from New York City is snarky and witty. As solid as Mashack is as a defender, he is more solid as a human. He opened his postgame remarks by giving 'all the glory to God,' which he said he planned to do regardless of Sunday's outcome. The guard with California swagger has a presence that helped draw players to Tennessee, including Dalton Knecht and Chaz Lanier. They set a tone of toughness. 'It was always about the things that weren't the pretty part, wanting to play hard and play defense and whatever it would take to win,' Barnes said. JAHMAI: Is Tennessee basketball better with Jahmai Mashack? He answered the question vs Alabama They also set a tone of love. Phillips told stories of Zeigler taking him out to dinner when he struggled with not playing as a freshman. Mashack was a comfort. Igor Milicic, one of Tennessee's four transfers, said he was a stranger when he arrived. He felt like family to Zeigler and Mashack. 'The legacy that they leave on this Tennessee program is unmatched,' Milicic said. 'Those two are probably the greatest Volunteers ever.' Tennessee (30-7) probably overachieved this season, which ended against Houston (34-4) because of the worst half the Vols played all year. It had nine healthy scholarship players for the final three months. It lost J.P. Estrella to surgery early in the season and relied on limited depth in the post. Lanier shot himself into Tennessee history, leaving as one of the best 3-point shooters in program history. Jordan Gainey is a transfer portal success story. A 30-win season and Elite Eight berth is a credit to Barnes. ZAKAI: Trains, sacrifices and a last chance: Zakai Zeigler's journey to Tennessee basketball It's also a credit to two players who defy what much of this era of college basketball is about. They didn't flirt with the transfer portal. They became Vols and they remained Vols. Culture is a buzzword in athletics. Tennessee's is built on an outward focus — it's not about me. UT has a continuous philosophy that reflects that focus because of Mashack and Zeigler. They established a standard and it resulted in an on-court standard beyond any prior in Vols history. 'They made this program a shoo-in Sweet 16, Elite Eight team,' Phillips said. 'That is the bar they have set — the floor that they have raised.' Zeigler stepped down the from the raised court Sunday to take a seat. His mind lingered on one moment as the buzzer sounded. It was the first time Barnes called him before he decided to come to Tennessee. There was a connection that defied the newness of the relationship, which grew into the cornerstone of another special Tennessee season in the best years in the program's history. "That was a phone call that I didn't realize in the moment, but it changed my life,' Zeigler said. Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @ If you enjoy Mike's coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Zakai Zeigler, Jahmai Mashack: Tennessee basketball legacy unmatched
Fox Sports
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Not 1 but 2: Tennessee has pair of nation's top defenders for March Madness
Associated Press LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Mindset, approach and toughness all are qualities a top defender must have in any sport. Add in long arms and speed, and that player can be quite a stopper. The Tennessee Volunteers have not one, but two such defenders in Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack. Both were among the four finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award announced Friday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. That makes the Midwest Region's No. 2 seed the only program with two of four finalists. Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner, also at Rupp Arena playing in the South Region against No. 1 overall seed Auburn, is a finalist who embraces the often ignored part of the game that helps in the NCAA Tournament. Houston's Joseph Tugler is the other finalist. 'There is one Serbian coach that says this all the time,' UCLA guard Lazar Stefanovic said. 'He won a lot of titles, and he says, 'I've yet to walk in the gym and go in stance and start playing defense. Everybody grabs the ball and starts shooting.' That's how it is, that's what the game is, you try to score.' Not Zeigler or Mashack. They thrive on shutting down opponents, picking the ball away no matter how tightly held, diving after loose balls, shutting down a top scorer 1-on-1 or creating havoc that shuts down the other team's offense. Coach Rick Barnes says it's nice both have been recognized for what they do every day, whether it's a game, timeout or practice. Their relentless intensity filters throughout Tennessee's roster, which Barnes called a talent that not all players bring. 'It's in their DNA,' Barnes said. 'I wish I could give it to everybody, where they really understand how important that part of the game is, they understand how to fix so much when their teammates make mistakes, they can cover up. And not only do their job, but their voice is important.' The duo is key to the Volunteers' smothering defense that is among the best in the country. Tennessee came into this tournament having led the Southeastern Conference allowing just 63 points a game and limiting opponents to 38.4% shooting — fourth-stingiest in the nation. They also led the SEC defending 3s, holding teams to 28.2% shooting to rank third in the country. Senior guard Jordan Gainey said the Vols all know how great Zeigler and Mashack are as defenders and how big of an impact they make. He appreciates their leadership the most, making clear since this team started work last offseason to get to this month what is expected from every teammate. 'Our new guys that came here, they knew as soon as they set foot on campus what we really wanted to do and they brought everything they could,' Gainey said. Forward Felix Okpara says Zeigler and Mashack set the standard on defense. 'Having two guys on the team that can do that, it makes our job way easier, just focusing on rebounding and just being in our gaps,' Okpara said. UCLA coach Mick Cronin wanted to recruit Mashack but just didn't have a scholarship available coming off the Bruins' Final Four berth in 2021. Mashack played in high school with Jaylen Clark, now an NBA rookie with Minnesota. Now Cronin and his seventh-seeded Bruins (23-10) get to see that defense up close Saturday night with a Sweet 16 berth on the line against the Vols (28-7). 'When he went to Tennessee, I knew it was a great fit for him,' Cronin said of Mashack. ___ AP March Madness bracket: and coverage: Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. recommended
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Not 1 but 2: Tennessee has pair of nation's top defenders for March Madness
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Mindset, approach and toughness all are qualities a top defender must have in any sport. Add in long arms and speed, and that player can be quite a stopper. The Tennessee Volunteers have not one, but two such defenders in Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack. Both were among the four finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award announced Friday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. That makes the Midwest Region's No. 2 seed the only program with two of four finalists. Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner, also at Rupp Arena playing in the South Region against No. 1 overall seed Auburn, is a finalist who embraces the often ignored part of the game that helps in the NCAA Tournament. Houston's Joseph Tugler is the other finalist. 'There is one Serbian coach that says this all the time,' UCLA guard Lazar Stefanovic said. 'He won a lot of titles, and he says, 'I've yet to walk in the gym and go in stance and start playing defense. Everybody grabs the ball and starts shooting.' That's how it is, that's what the game is, you try to score.' Not Zeigler or Mashack. They thrive on shutting down opponents, picking the ball away no matter how tightly held, diving after loose balls, shutting down a top scorer 1-on-1 or creating havoc that shuts down the other team's offense. Coach Rick Barnes says it's nice both have been recognized for what they do every day, whether it's a game, timeout or practice. Their relentless intensity filters throughout Tennessee's roster, which Barnes called a talent that not all players bring. 'It's in their DNA,' Barnes said. 'I wish I could give it to everybody, where they really understand how important that part of the game is, they understand how to fix so much when their teammates make mistakes, they can cover up. And not only do their job, but their voice is important.' The duo is key to the Volunteers' smothering defense that is among the best in the country. Tennessee came into this tournament having led the Southeastern Conference allowing just 63 points a game and limiting opponents to 38.4% shooting — fourth-stingiest in the nation. They also led the SEC defending 3s, holding teams to 28.2% shooting to rank third in the country. Senior guard Jordan Gainey said the Vols all know how great Zeigler and Mashack are as defenders and how big of an impact they make. He appreciates their leadership the most, making clear since this team started work last offseason to get to this month what is expected from every teammate. 'Our new guys that came here, they knew as soon as they set foot on campus what we really wanted to do and they brought everything they could,' Gainey said. Forward Felix Okpara says Zeigler and Mashack set the standard on defense. 'Having two guys on the team that can do that, it makes our job way easier, just focusing on rebounding and just being in our gaps,' Okpara said. UCLA coach Mick Cronin wanted to recruit Mashack but just didn't have a scholarship available coming off the Bruins' Final Four berth in 2021. Mashack played in high school with Jaylen Clark, now an NBA rookie with Minnesota. Now Cronin and his seventh-seeded Bruins (23-10) get to see that defense up close Saturday night with a Sweet 16 berth on the line against the Vols (28-7). 'When he went to Tennessee, I knew it was a great fit for him,' Cronin said of Mashack. ___ AP March Madness bracket: and coverage: Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press
Associated Press
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Not 1 but 2: Tennessee has pair of nation's top defenders for March Madness
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Mindset, approach and toughness all are qualities a top defender must have in any sport. Add in long arms and speed, and that player can be quite a stopper. The Tennessee Volunteers have not one, but two such defenders in Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack. Both were among the four finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award announced Friday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. That makes the Midwest Region's No. 2 seed the only program with two of four finalists. Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner, also at Rupp Arena playing in the South Region against No. 1 overall seed Auburn, is a finalist who embraces the often ignored part of the game that helps in the NCAA Tournament. Houston's Joseph Tugler is the other finalist. 'There is one Serbian coach that says this all the time,' UCLA guard Lazar Stefanovic said. 'He won a lot of titles, and he says, 'I've yet to walk in the gym and go in stance and start playing defense. Everybody grabs the ball and starts shooting.' That's how it is, that's what the game is, you try to score.' Not Zeigler or Mashack. They thrive on shutting down opponents, picking the ball away no matter how tightly held, diving after loose balls, shutting down a top scorer 1-on-1 or creating havoc that shuts down the other team's offense. Coach Rick Barnes says it's nice both have been recognized for what they do every day, whether it's a game, timeout or practice. Their relentless intensity filters throughout Tennessee's roster, which Barnes called a talent that not all players bring. 'It's in their DNA,' Barnes said. 'I wish I could give it to everybody, where they really understand how important that part of the game is, they understand how to fix so much when their teammates make mistakes, they can cover up. And not only do their job, but their voice is important.' The duo is key to the Volunteers' smothering defense that is among the best in the country. Tennessee came into this tournament having led the Southeastern Conference allowing just 63 points a game and limiting opponents to 38.4% shooting — fourth-stingiest in the nation. They also led the SEC defending 3s, holding teams to 28.2% shooting to rank third in the country. Senior guard Jordan Gainey said the Vols all know how great Zeigler and Mashack are as defenders and how big of an impact they make. He appreciates their leadership the most, making clear since this team started work last offseason to get to this month what is expected from every teammate. 'Our new guys that came here, they knew as soon as they set foot on campus what we really wanted to do and they brought everything they could,' Gainey said. Forward Felix Okpara says Zeigler and Mashack set the standard on defense. 'Having two guys on the team that can do that, it makes our job way easier, just focusing on rebounding and just being in our gaps,' Okpara said. UCLA coach Mick Cronin wanted to recruit Mashack but just didn't have a scholarship available coming off the Bruins' Final Four berth in 2021. Mashack played in high school with Jaylen Clark, now an NBA rookie with Minnesota. Sweet 16 berth on the line against the Vols (28-7). 'When he went to Tennessee, I knew it was a great fit for him,' Cronin said of Mashack.
