The 2024 season will be one to remember for Fort Bend Travis hoops.
The Tigers excelled within a loaded Fort Bend district, finishing third overall (12-4) and would subsequently advance to the Area Round, in which they were unfortunately eliminated by a stingy Bellaire squad.
Despite the Winter ending sooner than expected, Travis still finished the year with a record of 28-7, which is the best the program has performed since their district championship year in the 2020-21 season.
Justin Mack can be heavily attributed for that success.
Following his first-team all-district performance in 2023, the senior guard proceeded to have yet another monster year, which resulted in Mack surpassing the 1000-point career milestone with the Tigers, in their 74-63 victory against Paetow in the Bi-District round of the playoffs.
“I wasn’t actually aware that I passed the mark at the moment,” Mack said. “They told me about it after the game, and everybody was walking in the hallway and clapping. It was a surreal moment, because not many people achieve that in their career. I was just very blessed to hit that milestone to finish my career with the school.”
According to Mack, he’s been a multi-sport athlete for the majority of his life – competing in sports ranging from football, soccer, baseball, and track and field, which he excelled in.
However, he always knew that his home was on the court.
“The chemistry you feel with your teammates stands out the most to me,” said Mack. “It trains you, even outside of basketball – getting to know more people, becoming more sociable. Plus, it’s crazy to think about how far this sport can take you.”
It’s not so crazy, apparently.
After all, Mack’s skill will be taking him up north to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he’ll continue his basketball tenure at Augustana University.
“They (Augustana Recruiting) have been talking to us since June, right around the start of AAU,” he said. “All the time that they sacrificed – you could tell that the coaches really wanted me, really liked me. They traveled to come see me play in person, and always kept up with me, which I really appreciated.”
“The facility and atmosphere is very professional there. So, I naturally made my decision to go to Augustana.”
Once he advances to the collegiate level, and isn’t spending his time balling or acclimating to the drastic weather-change in South Dakota (low of 11℉ today), Mack will have plenty of time to invest in his other hobbies.
“Honestly, I really like to read and cook a lot,” he said. “Right now, since we’ve finished up in the playoffs, I’ve been cooking, learning up on new recipes – especially because I’m going to be by myself in college. I won’t be getting any more home-cooked meals, so it’s up to me to make sure I’m eating right.”
Mack’s signature dish? Chicken fettuccine alfredo.
As an Italian, myself, I can strongly attest that you can’t go wrong with that meal.
However, if his high school career is any indication, he won’t just be cooking in the kitchen next Winter.