VCU path in question for Dreher’s Mack

Dreher small forward Tevin Mack potentially could find himself back on the recruiting scene.

The 6-foot-7 Class 3A Player of the Year has asked for a release from his national letter-of-intent to VCU, according to a report in the Washington Post. The same report said the school has not yet granted his release yet.

Mack’s future came into question last week when Shaka Smart resigned to become the men’s basketball coach at Texas. The Rams introduced former VCU assistant and Chattanooga coach Will Wade as the new coach on Wednesday.

Mack declined to comment when reached by The State. His mother, Paula Mack, told the Washington Post, “The No. 1 reason why he chose VCU was Coach Smart.” Mack tweeted later on Tuesday, “I haven’t made anything official for those of you with these rumors and speculation!!”

Wade is known to excel in recruiting. In his three seasons as a VCU assistant, he helped land three of the top recruiting classes among schools outside of the Power Five conferences. Before joining Smart’s staff, he was the recruiting coordinator at Harvard, where he helped bring in top-25 recruiting classes in 2008 and 2009, according to ESPN.com.

Wade’s first order of business will be trying to keep the current incoming recruiting class intact. Mack, one of ESPN’s top 50 recruits, headlines the incoming class that features two top-100 commits, according to ESPN.com.

Mack chose VCU over Clemson, Connecticut, Georgia and South Carolina in November. If Mack is granted his release, sources have said all four schools are expected to be in contact with the high-scoring forward. There also is a possibility that Mack could follow Smart to Texas.

Mack averaged nearly 30 points per game in leading Dreher to the third round of the Class 3A playoffs this season.

This story was originally published April 8, 2015 at 11:48 PM with the headline "VCU path in question for Dreher’s Mack."