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Mack Back At Memphis - July 14th, 2008

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

When is a transfer not really a transfer? Well, ask Memphis guard Doneal Mack for his interpretation.

Mack, a 6-foot-5 junior guard, has officially returned to the University of Memphis after enrolling at New Orleans a little more than a week ago. Mack is eligible immediately because he did not exceed the 14-day window in which he could participate in athletic-related activities at the second school.

Mack's father said last month his son would be transferring after two seasons with the Tigers because he wanted more playing time. Mack played averaged 6.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 12.6 minutes per game last season for the national runners-up. He led the Tigers in 3-pointers with 66.

"I believe I left Memphis for selfish reasons," Mack said in a New Orleans press release. "New Orleans has a great program, and coach (Joe) Pasternack is a good guy, but my heart is still in Memphis."

Memphis coach John Calipari welcomed him back.

 

"I don't think it's been done (before), because in most cases the coach won't take you back," Calipari said. "It's about the kid at the end of the day, and that's why I'm letting this kid come back. I've been pretty consistent in how I deal with stuff. Kids make mistakes sometimes."

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Mack will face more competition for minutes at his position than when he left, because Calipari signed junior college guard Roburt Sallie immediately after Mack left. Now the Tigers have seven players they can use on the wings.

Calipari said playing time will be determined by performance.

"The guys that are supposed to be playing will play," he said. "The guys who didn't work hard this summer won't. They'll be ticked, but it won't have any effect on me. This is on the guys."

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