He shows up early to get a workout. After a long day of school, he’s got basketball practice. He gets a little break at home, time for homework, and some quick food before he goes to volleyball until ten. And that’s just a normal day.

Junior multi-sport star Riley Massey has been playing basketball for De Smet and also club volleyball at the same time this year.

“It’s really tough, but it’s something that I’ve put on myself,” Massey said. “I’m willing to do it because I enjoy doing both of them.”

Despite the difficulties of playing two sports at once, Massey believes that playing both helps him grow and excel.

“I don’t think it’s been a problem,” Massey said. “I think its maybe better because with volleyball and jumping I get so much more athletic.”

Massey’s parents are responsible for his love of both sports as his dad was a basketball coach and his mom was a volleyball coach.

“I was like two or three and I was shooting on the mini hoop,” Massey said, “and then volleyball, I started playing around at a very young age.”

Last year, Massey helped lead the De Smet volleyball team to a 35-1 record and a state championship with his brother Trent.

“Just the fact that it was my last year with my brother and we wanted to go out on top,” Massey said. “It just showed all of our work finally paid off.”

Massey is also currently De Smet basketball’s leading scorer, averaging 15 points per game.

“His body developed more from sophomore to junior year and now he can rise up a little bit more,” Head Basketball Coach Kent Williams said, “I see him just continuing to grow with his versatility.”

But perhaps his biggest improvement from last year to this year is his growth as a leader both on and off the court.

“He’s a guy everybody on the team likes,” Coach Williams said. “He doesn’t shut himself off, and you know there’s times where he’s having tough games and still doesn’t shut himself off.”

Even though he has long days of practice, games, and working out, Massey wouldn’t do anything different.

“I mean, this is what I love to do,” Massey said. “I love sports.”