Former Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack. Photo via @Grizzlies on X.
VFL Jahmai Mashack had a huge highlight moment against one of the best NBA players in the nation during the Grizzlies’ loss to the Nuggers on Wednesday night.
With time winding down in the first half, former NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic had the ball and began backing down Memphis forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper into the paint. But as Jokic spun toward the perimeter and began moving toward the hoop, Mashack came out of nowhere to steal the ball from Jokic and start a fastbreak down the court. The former Vol ran the give-and-go with teammate Cam Spencer and finished at the hoop for the transition bucket.
Mashack, one of the Grizzlies’ five starters in the game, finished with nine points on 4-of-11 shooting with three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block.
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐛 & 𝐆𝐨 💨 pic.twitter.com/vctBYTa8Yk
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 12, 2026
More From RTI: Tennessee Basketball Still Searching For Complete 40 Minutes Despite Win At Mississippi State
After playing just 25 total minutes from November to January, Mashack has averaged 23.4 minutes on the court in the Grizzlies’ five games so far in February. Memphis is battling injury and a shorthanded roster following the trade deadline, which has opened up a spot for Mashack on the court. He’s been playing the center position during his time on the court.
While undersized for the center position, Mashack is making the most of the opportunity by being his ferocious and tenacious self on the defensive end of the court. He’s got 16 total steals over his last five contests, including a career-high six steals in the Grizzlies loss to Portland last Saturday.
Mashack is averaging 3.2 steals per game in the five meaningful games he’s played this season. For context, Kawhi Leonard and Cason Wallace lead the entire NBA with 2.1 steals per game. They’ve obviously played way more games than Mashack has this season, but it does put into context the pace that he’s on.
The rookie from Tennessee also posted season-high numbers during the Grizzlies’ loss to Golden State on Monday, going for 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting with two rebounds, one assist, and two steals. He knocked down one of his two three-point attempts in that game.
Grizzlies rookie Jahmai Mashack career-high 17 PTS (8-10 FG, 1-2 3P), 2 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL in 22 minutes vs. Warriors https://t.co/2vCGSWqF5h pic.twitter.com/2h1mfHhnL6
— Role Player Performances (@BenchHighlights) February 10, 2026
Mashack was drafted as the 59th overall pick out of Tennessee in the 2025 NBA Draft. By all accounts, he’ll continue to see minutes with the struggling Grizzlies looking for new bodies on the court as it turns ahead towards the NBA Draft. Mashack is undeniably making the most of his opportunity and proving that he can play his game anywhere on the court with his effort and versatility.