What Massey Means To K-State

Kansas State recruited some talented athletes at the wing and small forward positions this fall, but the Wildcats' most recent addition should give them a powerful inside punch next winter.

K-State dipped into the California JUCO ranks and secured a commitment from Jeremiah Massey, a hustling 6-6 1/2, 220 pound power forward from Oxnard J.C. in Oxnard, Calif.

A product of Mackenzie H.S. in Detroit, Mich., Massey established himself as one of the top junior college freshmen in the country last season.

Massey averaged 23.5 points in 28 regular season contests last season, which ranked fourth in the state of California. He also pulled down 13.6 rebounds per game, which ranked second in the state.

Massey took fall trips to Fresno State (Oct. 18-20), Portland (Sept.) and Kansas State (Nov. 1-3). He also considered Cincinnati.

"He wasn't going to sign until late, but he felt a lot of pressure with his family members," Oxnard Head Coach Ron McClurkin explained. "He saw a lot of stuff coming at him, so he decided to get it over and done."

"He liked Fresno State, but when he came back from Kansas State, he told me that he really enjoyed himself, the facilities and the people," McClurkin said. "I think the pressure and the phone calls started to get to him."

In fact, schools such as Miami, Washington State, Marquette, Utah State and Tulsa were waiting in the wings had Massey opted to sign late.

"When we came back from a tournament this past weekend in Las Vegas, he thought he was going to do it," McClurkin reflected. "He wanted to get it over with, and Kansas State seemed to offer what he was looking for, so he kind of jumped on it."

In addition to the intensifying recruiting process, Massey has also seen quite a bit of double and triple teams early this season. Opponents know that he is ranked high on the lists of many junior college recruiting analysts, and McClurkin is hoping that the early decision will help Massey to focus on the task at hand.

"He's much more relaxed and having fun again and being Jeremiah," McClurkin noted. "He has been tense for the past few weeks, almost pressing."

Oxnard will need Massey to put up big numbers this winter for the Condors to have a chance to make a deep run in the California JUCO State Playoffs in February and March.

An undersized power player who is relentless on the glass, Massey scores most of his points in and around the paint. His perimeter shot is still a work in progress, although McClurkin feels that Massey is quick and athletic enough to defend opponents out on the wing.

"Kansas State wants him to play the power forward slot," McClurkin said. "There's never been any discussion of rotating him over and making him a three man, because he's not a shooter."

In a way, that's what Kansas State will need him to do, since high school senior Cartier Martin will likely be a small/combo forward for the Wildcats. Dez Willingham projects as the program's point guard of the future, while swingman Lance Harris could see time at both the two and three slots.

"Jeremiah is one of those kids who can post up anywhere, eight feet and in, and he can make it count for you," McClurkin concluded.