Dreher basketball star Mack granted release from VCU, reopens recruitment

One of Columbia’s, and the nation’s, top high-school players is back on the market.

Dreher High star Tevin Mack received a release from Virginia Commonwealth on Tuesday, his mother confirmed. Mack, who committed to the Rams in November, asked for, and was granted, a release after VCU coach Shaka Smart left to coach Texas.

Mack chose VCU over South Carolina, Clemson, Georgia and Connecticut. Those schools could be back in play, and the Longhorns also have been added to the list.

“That’s mainly one of his options,” Paula Mack said of Texas. “He wants to weigh out the rest, to sit down and see what’s best for him, where he best fits.”

Mack, a 6-foot-6 four-star forward ranked the No. 78 prospect in the country by Rivals.com, is an explosive scorer who led Dreher to the third round of the Class 3A playoffs this year. With the spring signing period beginning Wednesday, he will have until May 20 to find a new home.

Former USC guard and local basketball commentator Carey Rich said Mack will have no shortage of suitors.

“Any time you’re 6-6 and you have the ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter, you’re a commodity and you add value to any team,” Rich said. “That’s why several teams have already reached out to Tevin Mack.”

Mack recently returned from the Senior Showcase All-Star Game in Orlando, Fla., where he joined some of the country’s best talent in a game against Florida’s best prep talent. Mack scored six points in the Team USA victory, which was led by MVP and USC signee P.J. Dozier.

Dozier, like Mack a Columbia native, scored 14 points with five rebounds, four assists and six steals. The two roomed together in Orlando and traveled back to Columbia together.

Dozier leads a four-man class for the Gamecocks, which includes Chris Silva, Travon Bunch and Jamall Gregory.

Could there be another addition?

“He’ll have a plethora of options, and I’m sure that South Carolina will be one of the teams that are vying for his services,” Rich said. “Any school would certainly have to be the right fit for both parties.”

Mack’s mother said that any other choices beside Texas haven’t been picked.

“We hadn’t really discussed that yet,” she said. “He wants to see what his options are and work from there.”

This story was originally published April 14, 2015 at 11:59 PM with the headline "Dreher basketball star Mack granted release from VCU, reopens recruitment."