Lighter Massamba overcomes injury, increases threat

By Rob Miech

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 | 2:15 a.m.

It took 65 seconds for UNLV basketball fans to see the new and improved Brice “Truck” Massamba producing for the Rebels.

Early in the scrimmage last Friday night at the Thomas & Mack Center, the sophomore center eased down the court, snatched a pass from new guard Anthony Marshall in stride and slipped in a reverse layup.

A sore left Achilles’ tendon didn’t slow him. An aching left knee and extra pounds didn’t keep him grounded. All of that hampered Massamba the past two seasons.

After an intense summer with the weights, conditioning and keeping his diet in check in his native Sweden, Massamba appears to have honed himself into a viable 6-foot-9, 240-pound weapon.

That’s been one of the revelations of the first four days of UNLV practices.

Rebels assistant coach Lew Hill said it’s all a part of the maturation process. The journey, he said, should be a joy to watch unfold.

“I stay on him all the time,” Hill said. “I tell him you have to love basketball. My favorite saying is, basketball gives you what you give basketball. He’s seeing results.”

That Massamba’s off-season regimen is directly resulting in on-court success pleased many who watched him Friday night, including Findlay College Prep coach Mike Peck.

At one point, Peck, who tutored Massamba in the Henderson foothills, turned to Pilots associate head coach Todd Simon and said he under-appreciated Massamba’s skill set in high school.

“I was really impressed,” Peck said. “After dropping all that weight, he’s nimble and mobile. It’s a joy to see him moving around out there. He wasn’t laboring. I think he really has a chance to help them.”

Expect Massamba to do more this season than set the most devastating screens on the squad.

“When he sets it, you don’t want to run into that,” Hill said. “That’s why he’s The Truck.”

Massamba sank two free throws after getting fouled by Matt Shaw, he nailed an 18-foot jumper from the left side and he converted a three-point play.

He tapped a pass to former Findlay teammate Carlos Lopez that looked like something out of Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s repertoire.

All with a newly cut Mohawk that Massamba dubbed The Warrior.

“We look pretty good, defense-wise,” Massamba said. “We’ve been killing people on offense, too. We’re much quicker than last year. And we have more heart, it feels like.”

Shedding 40 pounds from a little more than a year ago has increased the Truck’s agility, and his three-dribble power moves from the elbow have become commonplace in practice.

He’s flashing left-handed shots, too.

“He has such a good feel for the game,” said UNLV coach Lon Kruger. “Last season, without that mobility or any vertical play, he couldn’t take advantage of his feel for the game.

“This year, he’s moving a lot better and he’s making good plays. We’re real excited about the direction he’s headed. He still has a long way to go, but I think he feels much better about what he’s getting accomplished and the direction he’s going.”

Little things, like tapping the court with both palms with your three teammates in a defensive drill, might get forgotten, which Kruger reminded Massamba about Sunday at practice in the Mack.

Oh yeah, Massamba said after Kruger halted the drill, he forgot to touch the floor.

Hill sees a player that is now 100 percent committed to the game. The skills and toughness, Hill said, were always there.

“The weight just held him back,” Hill said. “Now, that’s what you’re seeing. I tell him all the time, the sky’s the limit. He’s working on his body and mind frame. He’s got a chance to be really good.”

With time, Hill stressed. It won’t happen overnight, Hill stressed. Don’t expect regular double-doubles from Massamba, Hill stressed.

Last season, too many expected too much from him.

“So many people were down on him, but he was a freshman,” Hill said. “The growth and development is the journey that makes it beautiful. If they don’t see the reward after one year, they beat him up.

“As a freshman, you barely play. As a sophomore, you start coming around. As a junior and senior, you’re really good. He’s no different.”

Look at Louis Amundson, Joel Anthony and Gaston Essengue, Hill said, as examples of big men who made steady progress under Kruger and ended up playing key roles.

“Coach Kruger makes you better,” Hill said. “He teaches you … each year they get better, that’s what is so fun. It’s about letting these kids grow and develop.”

Monday afternoon, Massamba had nearly shaken a days-old cold. He feels much better than a year ago, he said. It’s easier to play when you’re a couple pounds lighter and not hurt.

“I feel awesome,” he said, flashing one of the team’s widest smiles. “But I always feel awesome.”