March 17, 2016

ST. LOUIS - Bruce Massey of the St. Louis RiverSharks is the latest Midwest Professional Basketball Association player to advance from the league, according to St. Louis head coach Ray Farrell.

Massey has signed with the Grand Rapids Drive of the National Basketball Development League (NBA D-League), and will leave St. Louis Friday in order to play for the Drive this weekend.

"My experience in the MPBA was a great one," said Massey.  "There was good competition and I was able to improve as a player. Coach Ray [Farrell] did a great job keeping the chemistry when we had so many guys leave. It's tough to leave right before the playoffs, but I wish all my RiverShark teammates the best of luck. I'm excited to be playing in the D-League again--it's a great blessing," Massey said.

In eleven games with the RiverSharks, Massey had been averaging 21.8 points, shooting 42.4% from three-point range, as well as averaging 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game.

"I am extremely happy for Bruce," said RiverSharks coach Ray Farrell. "His work ethic and leadership made him our team's leader, and he earned this opportunity in the D-League."

Massey becomes the 18th player from the MPBA to advance this season, and 38th since the league began play in January of 2015.

The St. Louis RiverSharks have now lost five starters to advancing players since the start of the season and eleven overall since last year.