Rebels’ Massamba recovers from concussion-like symptoms, to play at San Diego State
On New Year's Eve in Hawaii, UNLV senior center Brice Massamba was seen puking in a trash can. The scene was not the result of too much hard partying.
Massamba took a blow to the head early in the second half of the Rebels' 74-69 victory over the Warriors. He left the game, got sick on the way to the locker room and was diagnosed with concussion-like symptoms.
"The first couple days, I was still dizzy and had a bad headache," said Massamba, who started UNLV's first 17 games before sitting out at Cal State Bakersfield on Jan. 5.
Massamba was "100 percent cleared" to practice Monday, according to coach Dave Rice, and will play Saturday when the 12th-ranked Rebels (16-2) visit No. 22 San Diego State (14-2) for the teams' Mountain West Conference opener.
"He's ready to go," Rice said. "My guess would be that he'll be our starter on Saturday. I don't know that yet. He certainly has not lost his spot."
Massamba, who is backed up by sophomore Carlos Lopez and junior Quintrell Thomas, said he has experience dealing with concussions.
"It's probably my third or fourth," he said, noting that his other issues with concussions were prior to UNLV. "I'm used to that. But right now, I feel pretty good."
In the Rebels' 124-75 victory over Central Arkansas on Dec. 28, Rice played Massamba for only five minutes to ease the stress on his knees.
"I've got bad knees. It was getting worse and worse," said Massamba, averaging 5.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 16.8 minutes per game. "It was kind of nice to get some rest, so my knees feel really good. I know I'm ready to play."
Massamba has not experienced a UNLV win at San Diego State in three tries since the 2008-09 season.
"I definitely want to get a win there before I leave," he said. "It will be a big one."
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.
