Myles Mack was born and raised to be a Paterson Catholic basketball player. After all, his older brother, Wayne, who now plays at Merrimack College, played for the Cougars. His parents were involved with the school in every way imaginable. He was a Cougar, through and through.
But then, the worst possible scenario took place. Last June, Paterson Catholic closed its doors forever, leaving Mack with no school to attend for his senior year of high school.
The talented versatile guard, who can play both the point guard and off-guard slots with equal ability, had already secured a scholarship to play basketball at Rutgers University, but didn’t have a place to finish out his high school days.
“It was tough news to take,” Mack said about Paterson Catholic’s closing. “It was hard for me to get over. Everyone was close there. Everyone got along. I was involved with a lot of things there. It really hurt me a lot.”
Mack considered a few schools in northern New Jersey, but then decided to transfer to St. Anthony.
Ironically, it was the same program that Mack had enjoyed his finest moment, scoring a career-high 36 points two years ago as a sophomore in Jersey City, leading the Cougars past the Friars in the NJSIAA Non-Public B North semifinals.
“I wouldn’t want to bring that up,” Mack said with a laugh. “I’m a pretty humble guy. I don’t know how to respond to it.”
It was also the same program that sent the Cougars reeling from the Non-Public B state sectional finals a year ago. Paterson Catholic and St. Anthony were developing a state playoff rivalry and now Mack, along with PC teammate Kyle Anderson, was headed to join forces with the enemy.
“It was kind of weird,” Mack said. “Kyle made the decision to go to St. Anthony first and he made it easier for me. But I didn’t know how I was going to be taken.”
Legendary St. Anthony head coach Bob Hurley was also concerned how well Mack would fit in.
“There was an adjustment period,” Hurley said. “Myles is a very quiet kid. He’s not the kind of kid who has to tell stories or be the life of the party. He’s quiet and reserved, so there was an adjustment for him more socially than athletically.”
Mack said that it didn’t take long for him to begin to feel welcomed.
“I think it was about a week or so for the guys to interact with me and welcome me with open arms,” Mack said. “I knew some of them from playing AAU basketball and I think they knew me.”
Mack let his basketball prowess aid in the introduction process.
“I just thought that if I let my game flow and do what I’m supposed to do, that I’d be fine,” Mack said.
“He just started doing things off the other guards we had,” Hurley said. “He would be throwing passes left-handed across the court and right on the money. The one thing he does is gets all the way to the basket and still has the presence and the strength to get the ball to someone who’s wide open.”
Not to mention, Mack is a dead-on jump shooter with amazing range.
“Because he’s such a good shooter, he controls everything,” Hurley said. “Once we start our offense, he’s the point guard, but you better know where he is, because he’s such a good shooter, he can knock down shots from anywhere. We try to find as many ways to take advantage of him.”
“Everyone likes a point guard who can score,” Mack said. “Since I can shoot the ball well, it’s an advantage that I have.”
There’s another side to Mack. He’s not the biggest kid in the world. He stands about 5-foot-9.
“When he gets to the basket, he’s not afraid of his size,” Hurley said. “He really has a comfort zone and there’s no panic whatsoever.”
“It’s really motivated me a lot as a player growing up,” Mack said. “I didn’t care what people said about my size. I just let them see for themselves that I’m not too small and that I’m big enough to be a big-time player.”
Mack proved last Saturday that he’s definitely a prime-time player.
As the Friars traveled to Springfield, Mass. to play in the nationally televised Hall of Fame Classic – the first time the Friars played there since their coach was officially inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame – Mack was ready to have his best performance since becoming a Friar.
Mack shot the lights out of the basket as the Friars faced DeMatha Catholic of Washington, D.C., connecting on 11-of-14 shots, scoring 28 points, leading St. Anthony to a dominant 75-25 victory.
For his efforts, Mack has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
Needless to say, Mack has found a home.
“I was very relaxed before the game,” said Mack, not worrying one iota that the game was being televised on ESPN. “I took my first few shots and they went in, so I felt good. I was happy I made the shots and I knew I’d have a good game.
Added Mack, “It feels great to be part of this program. In the beginning, I didn’t think I would like it, but I like it now.”
Mack is averaging close to 18 points per game for the 9-0 Friars, who maintain their high national ranking, in some cases as high as No. 2 in the entire country by Rivals.com.
“I feel comfortable now and that helps,” Mack said.
“He’s a very positive kid and he believes in himself,” Hurley said. “I never have seen him discouraged or down. He’s a very mature kid and knows what we want. I’m thrilled to have him. He’s fit right in with us. We wouldn’t be the team we are without what he’s doing for us. It’s very unusual when something like this happens, but he’s walked right in and become one of our best players.”
And will fit in nicely next year when he plays for Mike Rice and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
“I’m really looking forward to that,” Mack said. “Coach Rice is a great guy and he’s brought in a great recruiting class of seven guys.”
And perhaps the littlest of the seven will be the one to lead, much like he’s leading his new team, the Friars, this season. Myles Mack might have been a Cougar, born and bred, but he’s wearing the fabulous Friars’ jersey quite nicely these days. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.