Under Rick Barnes, Tennessee basketball has done a great job recruiting not just inside the United States, but abroad, as well. This cycle, the Vols picked up the commitment of French guard Clarence Massamba. This past weekend, he finally got to campus to join UT before practices get back underway.
While he hasn’t gotten to take the court for official team activities just yet, you can already sense that he’ll be a natural fit with the team. Massamba described himself as an overall player who can play on both ends of the court well. Along with his ability to shoot and be quick in transition, it’s the makings of a prototypical Barnes player.
Associate head coach Justin Gainey saw the same things during the recruitment of Massamba. The versatility and size made him someone Tennessee identified, targeted and ultimately landed.
“I felt like he was versatile. He was different. He could play multiple positions. Length, athleticism,” Gainey said. “He’s kind of different than I would say any of the other guards that we have size wise. With length. And then he can guard. And then he’s a great, great kid. He’s a great kid and he’s hungry and he’s determined to become a good basketball player. I don’t know how long it takes with the transition and him missing this summer, but he’s about the right things. I think he’s going to do whatever this team needs him to do to help us win. But I think, you know, to answer your question, he was different. I’d say he’s more athletic than any of the guards that we have. He brings a little more size at 6’6” and length, and then just a versatile defender at the guard position.”
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For Massamba, he felt the fit during the recruiting process. It’s not just the on-the-floor aspect that attracted him to joining the Vols, though.
The French guard also noted his time talking to the coaches on the staff. The family atmosphere was certainly a selling point.
“How I knew it was the right fit for me was the conversations with the coaching staff,” Massamba said. “Made me feel like it was — that’s what basketball is, having a family. If you have a family I think everything is good on the court.”
Now, he’ll have to adjust to what Tennessee is doing. While his playstyle matches up well with Barnes’ system, it’ll still be a bit of a learning curve in terms of getting used to his new teammates and terminology in Knoxville.
He won’t have complete culture shock in his move to the United States, though. Massamba played high school basketball in Florida and got a taste of what the States have to offer. While he noted there is a stark difference between US high school basketball and the college level, his time in Europe could translate to a more SEC-style of ball.
“I was kind of familiar cause I was playing high school in Florida,” Massamba said. “I was kind of introduced to the SEC conference. I knew enough about Tennessee basketball, so having the opportunity to play here was a big thing for me.”
Tennessee opens the season on Nov. 3 when it welcomes Mercer to town. Tip-off time and TV designation are yet to be determined. The first public view of the Vols will come on Oct 26, though. UT will host Duke in an exhibition at 7 p.m. ET.
