Addi Mack is quickly establishing herself as a key player for the Maryland Terrapins, showcasing her skills as a standout shooter early in her collegiate career. Just five games into her time at the University of Maryland, the freshman point guard has emerged as one of the team’s leading scorers. In a remarkable performance last week against Georgetown, Mack scored 23 points and made nearly 70% of her shots, leaving a strong impression on coaches and fans alike.
“I just wanted to come in and bring a spark of energy,” Mack said following her standout game. Her performance not only earned her praise but also significantly increased her playing time. In a notable development, she received her first career start as point guard in the recent match against Princeton. “Just knowing that my team and my coaches trust in me this early is a testament to how hard I’ve worked,” she added.
Mack, who hails from Minneapolis and played at Minnehaha Academy, excelled in high school basketball, surpassing 4,000 career points in her senior year, making her the second-highest scorer in Minnesota girls’ basketball history. Reflecting on her transition to college, she expressed satisfaction with her integration into the team. “I feel like I just fit right in with the team right away,” she noted, emphasizing the lack of a “superiority complex” based on age.
Upcoming Challenge Against Minnesota
In just three weeks, Mack will return to her home state to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Maryland’s first Big Ten conference matchup of the season. She is particularly excited about this game, stating, “I think that game has been on my calendar ever since we got it. I think I’m going to have the team over to my house so that will be fun for them to see kind of where I live.” With Minnesota performing well this season, Mack anticipates a competitive matchup that promises to be thrilling for both teams.
The Terrapins have a storied history in college basketball, boasting 20 March Madness appearances and a national championship title in 2006. Mack has set her sights on contributing to that legacy. “The work’s not done. Our motto is, ‘the road to the Final Four,’ and we are on that road right now,” she declared with enthusiasm.
On Monday, Mack was recognized with the Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor, underscoring her impressive start to the season. Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Mack is also focused on her academic goals as a finance major, demonstrating her commitment to both sports and education.
In addition to Mack’s achievements, the sports community is buzzing with insights from former athlete Natalie Darwitz. In a recent episode of Marielle Mohs’ “WoMN in Sports Podcast,” Darwitz discussed her journey from an Eagan hockey player to a three-time Olympic medalist and now CEO of the Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame. She revealed exciting plans for a new 30,000-square-foot hall of fame museum, sharing details about its upcoming location.
As the Maryland Terrapins look forward to the rest of the season, Addi Mack stands poised to leave her mark, both on the court and in the classroom. Her journey is just beginning, and fans eagerly await what the future holds for this rising star.
