Memphis Grizzlies: 5 Under The Radar Mid-Major NBA Draft Prospects
By Chris Kern
CJ Massinburg
CJ Massinburg has been one of the most underrated players in all of college basketball so it’s fitting that he plays for the Buffalo Bulls who are one of the most underrated teams in the game.
He has the ability to get it done on both ends of the floor in a variety of ways. Through his first 25 games this season he is averaging 18.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
He scores the ball very efficiently as well though and a large part of that comes with playing alongside a lot of other talented players. He is shooting 50% from the field, 43% from three-point range, and 80% from the free-throw line.
Massinburg has already had his big March Madness moment much like Elmore has. Last season he led Buffalo to an upset win over the Arizona Wildcats. It wasn’t a close game either, they blew out the Wildcats by the score of 89-68.
In that game, he had a 19 point, 6 rebound performance but it’s not like he carried them. They have other players who could be NBA Draft prospects as well such as Jeremy Harris and Nick Perkins.
Massinburg’s marquee college performance came in a road win over the then #13th ranked West Virginia Mountaineers. We have then come to learn that West Virginia isn’t very good but they were a much better team to start the season than they currently are.
In that game, Massinburg finished with a career-high 43 points and 14 rebounds. He was everywhere in this win and he made so many tough shots to get his team this win in overtime.
He went 12-22 from the field with most of his damage from three-point range where he went 9-15. His ability to take over games was put on full display and that one game is a big part of the reason Buffalo has been ranked ever since.
He is a 6’3″ guard that can get it done on both ends of the floor and certainly would give the Grizzlies some more young talent. At the moment it doesn’t appear he’ll get drafted but if Buffalo can win a couple of games in the NCAA Tournament then that certainly could be enough to get him selected late in the second round.
Even if he doesn’t get drafted expect him to be picked up quickly as an undrafted free agent. He will shine in the summer league and very possibly warrant an NBA roster spot. He is an ideal candidate for the Grizzlies to use one of their two-way roster spots on.