Butler’s Shelvin Mack hopes to fulfill a third grade dream – he’s determined to make an NBA roster

Shelvin Mack’s time in a Butler uniform has come to an end. After thorough evaluation, he is excited for the opportunity to to play in the NBA and he doesn’t believe it is a risky move for him to enter one year early. He has won at every level so what’s to think he won’t amongst the world’s best?

He was diligent in how he handled the process–gathering information and ultimately, he was comfortable moving forward.

The lockout is a big concern of all those wishing to hear their name called.

Obviously Mack hopes to be drafted in the first round, which would give him a guaranteed contract. Also, the rookies not taken in the first 30 picks, cannot participate in summer league unless the lockout is resolved—and that’s doubtful.

The ability to get better is a big motivator for Shelvin Mack. Some of the negative feedback he received was that he needs to get in better shape, be more consistent throughout games and be efficient when he is on the court.

Mack, who is far from a first-round lock, will be working hard in preparation of draft night this June. For the next month and a half, he will try to get in the best shape of his life and simply put, “just take care of my body.” He will spend the first half of summer in Chicago training at Attack Athletics with Tim Grover, who famously trained Michael Jordan.

One of the most challenging things for former teammate Gordon Hayward, who came to Butler in the same class with Mack, was to not play every night. Some nights he wouldn’t dressed, another night he would start. And he also had to be prepared for the few minutes he would get other nights. Hayward stressed to Mack that he must make the most out of his time on the court and not take it for granted.

Shelvin is in a different place than Hayward. Gordon was a first round lock and was chosen by the Utah Jazz at number nine. Mack on the other hand, is expected to go anywhere from late first round to mid-second round.

Talking with other point guards in the league, they stressed the importance of just enjoying the process–and he should. It is more challenging for Mack because of the unpredictability of where he will get chosen. But if you just look at his pedigree and what he brings to a team, there’s no reason to think he won’t get selected.

Before declaring for the draft, Mack helped Butler play in their second straight NCAA Championship. Unfortunately both games had the same result; the Bulldogs lost and in the process, they lost a player to the NBA draft. First Hayward, now Mack.

This is the right decision for the guard out of Lexington, Kentucky. The team is already losing Matt Howard, arguably the best player in Butler history, to graduation. They are also losing some intangibles. I know, many said last year with Hayward’s departure that the dawgs wouldn’t go deep into the tournament and they proved them wrong.

His exit may close a chapter in the most successful four years in Butler’s history. Coach Brad Stevens is still the coach and he will continue to recruit the same type of guy. But it puts a damper on Stevens’ ultimate plan, losing these very special players.

At the press conference, Brad Stevens said it was not a bitter-sweet moment losing his best player.

“It’s all sweet to me. I have not been his advisor but an info gatherer…Shelvin can handle the ball, dribble, pass, shoot. He has an NBA body and he plays his best against players at the highest level.”

Stevens discounts using Butler’s recent success and ability to send players to the NBA as a recruiting tool. He said, a student-athlete should “pick a school that you want to be at on your worst day…Don’t pick a school based on television coverage or past success but rather what the school and coaches can offer.”

23 hours hours away from his degree, Shelvin Mack is planning on taking at least one class this summer, determined to graduate from Butler University.

The last three years, he has treated every day with a business-like mindset. Getting up a 5:30 a.m., competing everyday in practice and getting better at every facet of the game has Mack believing he is ready for the next level. All he says he will worry about are the controllables. The rest is out of his hands.

Mack has not signed with an agent and hopes to raise his stock in his workouts over the next month. The 2011 NBA Draft is on June 23rd.