Harvard men’s basketball guard Malik Mack has announced that he is entering the NCAA transfer portal, according to a source familiar with the situation. While this does not necessarily mean that Mack will leave Harvard, there have been rumors for months that he may seek a program in a larger conference that supports NIL payments, potentially allowing him to earn a substantial income.
Mack had an impressive first season at Harvard, averaging 17.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. He ranked third in the nation for points per game among freshmen and was recently named Ivy League Rookie of the Year after earning the Ivy League “Rookie of the Week” award eight times during the season. Mack was also nominated to the Lou Henson Award Midseason Watch List in January.
Harvard’s season ended prematurely after finishing fifth in the Ivy League, just missing out on a spot in Ivy Madness and the opportunity to compete for a March Madness qualifying bid. If Mack decides to leave Harvard, it could have a significant impact on the team as he was a key player in their successes this season.
Mack had received offers from other universities before choosing Harvard and cited his relationship with Head Coach Tommy Amaker as a major factor in his decision. His potential departure may lead to questions about Harvard’s stance on NIL compensation for student-athletes like Mack.
In addition to Mack, Harvard forward Justice Ajogbor also entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer in March. Ajogbor had averaged 8.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks in 20 games this season. The team may face challenges in the upcoming season with the potential loss of key players like Mack and Ajogbor.
