Mashburn Commits to Minnesota
Brewster Academy and PSA Cardinals' guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. made a verbal commitment to the University of Minnesota and head coach Richard Pitino on Monday.
Mashburn's father, Jamal Mashburn Sr., played for Pitino's father, Rick Pitino, at Kentucky from 1990-1993 before moving on to the NBA.
“The whole family bond thing has stayed the same throughout it all,” Mashburn Jr. told the Star Tribune. “I feel like it hasn’t really changed. It doesn’t really play a role in my decisionmaking and it doesn’t play a role in how I got about things."
Mashburn played his way into the ESPN 100 after helping Brewster to the 2019 National Prep Championship and then averaging over 20 points per game on 47% shooting from the three-pont line at the EYBL Finals.
Mashburn's ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter coupled by his high-motor and competitive approach made him a priority for Minnesota.
"They need someone who can shoot the ball, defend and lead a team,” he told the Star Tribune. “Lot of programs might want me, but do they have a need for me? That separates them from other programs. There’s a need, and I know with the right opportunity I can make something happen.”
Mashburn is already the fifth member of Brewster's 2020 class to accept a division I scholarship.
Jamal Mashburn Jr.