C. J. Massinburg

Born and raised in Dallas,^[1] Massinburg came to Buffalo from South Oak Cliff High School. As a senior, he averaged 22.3 points per game, but initially received no NCAA Division I offers. He ultimately signed with the Bulls after being scouted playing on a travel team for unsigned seniors.^[2][3]

In his freshman season, Massinburg was not expected to contribute much, but ended up playing a key role off the bench averaging 11.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the Mid-American Conference (MAC) All-Freshman Team.^[4] As a sophomore, Massinburg's progress was slowed by missing the first eight games of the season due to a bout with mononucleosis,^[5] but he improved his scoring to 14.5 points per game as he moved into the starting lineup. As a junior, Massinburg was named first-team All-MAC as the Bulls enjoyed regular-season and Tournament conference championships, earning a trip to the 2018 NCAA tournament. Massinburg scored 19 points in the Bulls' upset over 4-seed Arizona in the NCAA Tournament's first round, thought to be the biggest win in program history at the time.^[6]

As a senior, Buffalo was the overwhelming preseason choice to win the MAC and Massinburg was named preseason first-team All-MAC East.^[7] The Bulls experienced great team success, as the team achieved a top 25 ranking in the November 12, 2018 AP Poll, signifying a first for the school.^[8] The Bulls would go on to maintain a spot in the top 25 for the remainder of the year. Massinburg led the team in scoring, moving into the school's top five all-time scoring list on January 29, 2019.^[9] He received national individual recognition as he was named to three watch lists for several national Player of the Year awards.^[10][11] Massinburg closed the 2018–19 regular season averaging 18.5 points per game and winning MAC Player of the Year honors and repeating on the all-conference first team.^[12][13]

The Buffalo News named Massinburg the best player of the decade from Buffalo, Canisius, Niagara, or St. Bonaventure. He was also named to the Lou Henson Award All-Decade Team.^[14]

On October 15, 2019, Massinburg signed with the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA).^[15] On October 18, the Nets waived Massinburg.^[16] He was ultimately added to the roster of the Nets’ NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.^[17] On November 15, Massinburg contributed 28 points, six rebounds and three assists in a loss to the Delaware Blue Coats.^[18] He missed a game against the Canton Charge on December 30 for undisclosed reasons.^[19] Massinburg missed more than a month of action due to a right knee injury before returning against the Grand Rapids Drive on January 27, 2020.^[20]

On September 14, 2021, Massinburg was signed by Limoges CSP of the LNB Pro A, the top tier men's basketball league in France.^[21]

In June 2022, Massinburg signed a two-year contract with Pallacanestro Brescia of Lega Basket Serie A.^[22]

On June 1, 2024, he signed with Bahçeşehir Koleji of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL).^[23]

Massinburg has played in The Basketball Tournament (TBT), an annual $1 million winner-take-all tournament, for Blue Collar U, a team primarily rostered with Buffalo alumni. In TBT 2021, the team made it to the semifinals of the tournament.^[24] In TBT 2022, Blue Collar U won the tournament and $1 million prize,^[25] with Massinburg being named tournament MVP.^[26]

• Buffalo Bulls bio
• College stats @ basketball-reference.com