6-10 recruit orally commits to Rebels

One look at the UNLV basketball team’s roster reveals an absence of big men. With the addition of 6-foot-10-inch, 250-pound Brice Massamba, the Rebels will show a different look next season.

Massamba, in his second year at Findlay Prep in Henderson, has made an oral commitment to UNLV.

“Brice’s biggest asset is his feel for the game and his high basketball IQ, and he’s got the body to go with it,” Findlay Prep coach Mike Peck said. “He’s got very good hands and good feet, and he can shoot it from 16 feet.”

Massamba is the third member of the Rebels’ 2008 recruiting class, joining Deshawn Mitchell, a 6-6 small forward from Monmouth Academy in Howell, N.J., and 6-8 power forward Darris Santee from Midland (Texas) College. Mitchell and Santee signed letters of intent in November.

Also debuting for UNLV will be 7-foot Beas Hamga, who is practicing with the team while serving an NCAA-mandated redshirt year. Hamga attended Findlay Prep for two months in the fall.

Massamba, from Sweden, has averaged 11.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in five games for Findlay Prep (11-0). He has been out with a knee injury but is returning soon.

Peck said Massamba was attracting recruiters from several major schools, including Iowa State and Oklahoma State.

“Brice obviously sees that he can go in right away and contribute at UNLV,” said Peck, who spent two years on Kruger’s staff, serving as video coordinator and handling administrative duties. “I have a feel for what they do and for kids who can play in Coach Kruger’s system, and Brice is one of those guys.”