Although the portal does not officially open until after the National Championship game, it has become increasingly common for players to publicly declare their plans in advance. Mack is the latest to do so, making his intentions clear as Missouri prepares for an offseason of adjustments and rebuilding.
Mack, originally from Chicago, began the season with promise. He was part of the starting lineup early on and appeared to be a key piece of the Tigers’ backcourt rotation. However, as the season progressed, his role began to diminish. After starting the first nine games, his playing time dropped significantly once Southeastern Conference (SEC) play began.
During conference play, Mack appeared in only five games, and his minutes were limited. In fact, the only time he saw extended action—more than 10 minutes—was during a lopsided 26-point loss to Alabama. Overall, he played in 18 games throughout the season, averaging 12 minutes per contest while contributing 7.0 points per game on 40.7% shooting from the field.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 195 pounds, Mack is considered a combo guard with the ability to both handle the ball and score. Before transferring to Missouri, he began his college career at UCLA, where he showed considerable potential as a freshman by averaging 12.1 points per game. That early success established him as a promising young talent.
However, his role at UCLA decreased during his sophomore season under head coach Mick Cronin, prompting him to enter the transfer portal in search of a fresh start. Mack ultimately chose Missouri, hoping to revive his trajectory and secure a more consistent role. Unfortunately, his time with the Tigers did not unfold as expected.
This past season proved challenging not only for Mack but also for the Missouri program as a whole. His offensive efficiency declined to a career-low level, and he struggled to maintain a steady role within head coach Dennis Gates’ system. As the team battled inconsistency throughout the year, Mack found it increasingly difficult to carve out meaningful minutes.
Coming out of Coronado High School in the Las Vegas area, Mack was a highly regarded four-star recruit, known for his scoring ability and versatility. While flashes of that talent were evident during his collegiate career, he has yet to fully recapture the form he displayed early on at UCLA.
With both Mack and Robinson set to leave, Missouri will now have the opportunity to reshape its backcourt heading into next season. Their departures open up roster spots and playing time, which the coaching staff can use to bring in new talent through recruiting or the transfer portal.
As Mack prepares for his next move, he will be looking for a program where he can reestablish himself and maximize his potential. Meanwhile, Missouri faces an important offseason as it works to rebuild and find greater consistency moving forward.
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