Memphis Grizzlies guard Jahmai Mashack had a tall task on Feb. 6 against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Literally.

Mashack, who stands at 6-foot-3, was tasked with playing the center spot for the undermanned Grizzlies. Regular centers Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke are out with injuries, and the team traded bigs Jock Landale and Jaren Jackson Jr. on Feb. 3.

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This wasn’t necessarily a new task for Mashack. He did so in college several times while playing at the University of Tennessee. In fact, he had to guard the 7-3 Edey in a game against Purdue. When he was given that assignment, he was confident.

“I’m going to lock him up,” Mashack said. “I don’t care if it’s Zach Edey (or) LeBron (James). It don’t matter. I had that mindset. I had the respect for those players that they were really good, they put in the work. I think that’s what makes me a real good defender — I respect those players.”

This time, Mashack guarded 7-3 Donovan Clingan, 6-10 Robert Williams and 7-2 Yang Hansen. Mashack battled and scrapped, finishing the game with five points, one rebound and three steals in 20 minutes.

Portland took advantage of the Grizzlies’ overall lack of size to the tune of 60 paint points in a 135-115 win on Feb. 6 at Moda Center.

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Mashack’s scrappiness showed at times when he was able to use his size and smarts to his advantage. He pressure Hansen into picking up his dribble, retreated and telegraphed a pass for a steal. He also forced Hansen into a turnover when the big tried to dribble in front of him.

Playing center in college and the NBA offers a lot of adjustments. Mashack noted how the NBA has more screening, rolling and facilitating.

“It’s definitely different,” Mashack. “For your first few NBA games, having to play a different position, it’s something to adapt to, but I don’t have no excuses for it.”

Memphis could get Santi Aldama back soon as he returns from a knee injury. Clarke will be back in the near future as well, but until then, Mashack and the 6-8 Olivier-Maxence Prosper are handling minutes at center.

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The Grizzlies will be back in action on Feb. 7 against the Trail Blazers (9 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network).

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Jahmai Mashack takes on center assignment for Grizzlies vs Blazers