Rob Miech's Take: Nobody looks more different from one year ago to now. "Truck" has shed more than 30 pounds and was at 240 for the start of practice. He is leaner and meaner, thanks to some heart-to-heart summertime chats with his two older brothers, who play professionally in Sweden.
Miech's Question: His picks are devastating and his desire is contagious. Now he has no nagging injuries, and he's in the shape of his life. Can he put all that together and be a dependable contributor?

UNLV CAREER: Massamba begins his second season as a Runnin' Rebel in 2009-10 ... possesses a wingspan of more than seven feet and a standing reach of nearly nine feet.

FRESHMAN (2008-09): Came off the bench and appeared in 27 games ... averaged 2.0 points per game and 1.3 rebounds per game ... shot 51.4 percent from the field and 63.3 percent from the free-throw line ... scored a career-high eight points against Western Michigan.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Findlay College Prep at the Henderson International School in Henderson, Nev., from 2006-08 ... as a senior in 2007-08, he helped the team to a 32-1 record as the Pilots lost in the prep school national championship game ... averaged 6.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game ... started all 26 games he played in, shooting 65.9 percent from the field ... played for the Swedish Senior Men's National Team in the 2006 Euro Cup qualifying games and averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game at Gelstaviken Gymnasium in Sodertalje, Sweden ... coached by Mike Peck at Findlay Prep ... played with current Runnin' Rebel teammate Carlos Lopez ... played on the SBBK club team.

PERSONAL: Brice Massamba was born July 8, 1988, in Lubumbashi, Congo ... the son of Madeleine Lukolama ... has not declared a major ... has three brothers, Dadhy (29), Darly (28) and Thomas (24), and a sister, Tanya (18) ... his brothers Darly and Thomas play basketball professionally.

--Courtesy of UNLVrebels.com