Massenburg Blocking The Opposition

Offensive players are learning quickly that when they drive to the basket, they better make sure Trayvond Massenburg is nowhere near.

Ask the players from Hillsborough Community College—they learned the hard way. Massenburg, a 6-foot 7, 215 pound center for  Miami Dade College, put on a shot-blocking clinic on Nov. 15 versus the Hawks when he rejected five of their shots.

The big man from Philadelphia is averaging 1.7 blocks per game this season, providing the defensive toughness his head coach Stephen Cowherd expects from him.    

“He needs to anchor our defense, make layups, and set good screens,” Cowherd said.

Massenburg has done that and more. He is averaging 7.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while leading the Sharks (13-7) in field goal percentage (54.7 %).       

Setting a physical tone has always been his game. Massenburg gave basketball a chance as a 6-foot 3 freshman at Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia, where he played his first two years  of basketball.   

He transferred to Robert Vaux High School for his junior season where he averaged 3.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks a game. His contribution helped the team win a state championship.    

Unfortunately, Robert Vaux closed down the following year due to a school reform commission vote that closed down 22 other public schools in Philadelphia. Massenburg played at Brisbane Academy Preparatory School in Charlotte, North Carolina his senior year.

Now at MDC for his freshman season, Massenburg is a defensive anchor for the Sharks. Everyday he practices hard to improve his skills. Whether it’s practicing to dribble the ball with his non-dominant hand to improve his ball handling ability or running so he can have better conditioning  

“I want to be the best player I can be,” Massenburg said.

And his teammates are confident in his potential. “I expect him to get the team rebounds and contribute on defense,” said sophomore guard Jaylin Gilbert . “He’s a good player.”

Massenburg’s roommate, freshman forward, Brandon Jones sees the energetic side of him too.

“On the court Tray and I just try to be the guys who maintain energy,” Jones said. “Off the court we’re pretty much the same. We’re energetic guys trying to have fun.”

The Sharks next home game is versus Broward College Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Theodore R. Gibson Health Center, 11011 S.W.104 St. Admission to all games is free.