Chimezie Metu

Metu's attended Lawndale High School in Lawndale, California. A four-star recruit, he was the No. 46 recruit according to Rivals.com. Metu committed to the University of Southern California (USC) on May 12, 2014.{{cite web |last1=Budrovich |title=Andy Enfield Lands Four-Star Recruit Chimezie Metu |url=https://www.conquestchronicles.com/2014/5/12/5712322/andy-enfield-lands-four-star-recruit-chimezie-metu |website=Conquest Chronicle |accessdate=January 4, 2020 |date=May 12, 2014}}

As a freshman, Metu played in 34 games, starting 2. He averaged 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He also had 54 blocks, which was the 2nd most blocks by a USC freshman since Taj Gibson. He also played 10 minutes in USC's loss to Providence in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

Metu started in all 36 games as a sophomore, averaging 14.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He led the team to the 2nd round of the 2017 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. He was named 2017 Pac-12 Most Improved Player, 2nd Team All-Pac-12 and All-Academic Honorable Mention.

Metu played in 34 games as a junior, starting 33. He averaged 15.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. On February 23, 2018, he was named in a federal document that linked him to an alleged $2,000 payment from a sports agency, but was cleared by USC.{{cite news|last1=Thiry|first1=Lindsey|title=Even with all the turmoil, USC's Chimezie Metu says he's glad he returned for his junior season|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/usc/la-sp-usc-metu-20180307-story.html|accessdate=April 15, 2018|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 7, 2018}} On March 5, 2018, he was named 1st Team All-Pac-12 along with teammate Jordan McLaughlin.{{cite web|title=2017-18 Pac-12 Men's Basketball All-Conference Teams announced|url=http://pac-12.com/article/2018/03/04/2017-18-pac-12-mens-basketball-all-conference-teams-announced|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306044202/http://pac-12.com/article/2018/03/04/2017-18-pac-12-mens-basketball-all-conference-teams-announced|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 6, 2018|website=Pac-12 Conference|publisher=Pac-12 Conference}} Being set to graduate in three years and after sitting out the 2018 National Invitation Tournament to avoid injury, he declared for the 2018 NBA draft.{{cite news|last1=Kaufman|first1=Joey|title=USC junior Chimezie Metu declares for NBA draft|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2018/03/22/usc-junior-chimezie-metu-declares-for-nba-draft/|accessdate=April 15, 2018|work=Orange County Register|date=March 22, 2018}}

On June 21, 2018, Metu was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the 49th pick in the 2018 NBA draft. Metu was later included in the 2018 NBA Summer League roster of the San Antonio Spurs.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/spurs/spurs-announce-2018-utah-summer-league-roster|title=SPURS ANNOUNCE 2018 UTAH SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER|date=June 28, 2018|work=NBA.com|accessdate=June 28, 2018}} On September 4, 2018, Metu signed with the San Antonio Spurs.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs-sign-2018-second-round-pick-chimezie-metu|title=SPURS SIGN 2018 SECOND ROUND PICK CHIMEZIE METU|date=September 4, 2018|work=NBA.com|accessdate=September 4, 2018}} On October 20, 2018, Metu made his NBA debut, coming off from bench for about three minutes with two points, two rebounds and a block in a 108–121 loss to Portland Trail Blazers.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401070717|title=Lillard has 29 and Portland beats San Antonio 121-108|work=ESPN.com|date=October 20, 2018|access-date=October 20, 2018}}

On November 20, 2020, the Spurs waived Metu.{{cite web |title=Spurs waive Chimezie Metu |url=https://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs-waive-chimezie-metu |website=NBA.com |accessdate=November 20, 2020 |date=November 20, 2020}}

On November 28, 2020, Metu signed with the Sacramento Kings,{{cite web|title=Kings Sign Chimezie Metu|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-sign-chimezie-metu|date=November 28, 2020|website=NBA.com|access-date=November 28, 2020}} but was waived on December 22 after appearing in four pre-season games.{{cite web|title=Kings Waive Chimezie Metu|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-waive-chimezie-metu|date=December 22, 2020|website=NBA.com|accessdate=December 22, 2020}} Two days later, he signed a two-way contract with the Kings.{{cite web|title=Kings Sign Chimezie Metu To A Two-Way Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-sign-chimezie-metu-two-way-contract|date=December 24, 2020|website=NBA.com|accessdate=December 24, 2020}} On April 28, 2021, the Kings signed him to a multi-year deal after making 28 appearances.{{cite web|title=Kings Sign Chimezie Metu To Multi-Year Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-sign-chimezie-metu-multi-year-contract|date=April 28, 2021|website=NBA.com|accessdate=April 28, 2021}}

On August 15, 2021, during a 86–70 Las Vegas Summer League victory over the Dallas Mavericks, Metu was ejected after throwing a punch at opposing forward Eugene Omoruyi.{{Cite web|title=Watch: Kings' Chimezie Metu throws punch in Summer League game|url=https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/watch_kings_chimezie_metu_throws_punch_in_summer_league_game/s1_127_35629388|access-date=January 27, 2022|website=Yardbarker}} The next day, the NBA suspended Metu for the Summer League championship game, which the Kings won.{{Cite web|title=Kings' Chimezie Metu suspended for Summer League championship game after punching opponent in the head|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kings-chimezie-metu-suspended-for-summer-league-championship-game-after-punching-opponent-in-the-head/|access-date=January 27, 2022|website=CBS Sports|date=August 16, 2021 }}

On December 29, 2021, Metu hit a game-winning three from the right corner at the buzzer to propel Sacramento to a 95–94 home victory over the Dallas Mavericks.{{cite web|title= Metu's game-winning buzzer-beater seals Kings' win over Mavs|url= https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/kings/chimezie-metu-buzzer-beater-caps-kings-emotional-win-over-mavericks|date=December 30, 2021|website=NBA.com|accessdate=December 31, 2021}}

On July 4, 2023, Metu signed with the Phoenix Suns.{{cite web|title=SUNS SIGN KEITA BATES-DIOP, DREW EUBANKS, CHIMEZIE METU AND YUTA WATANABE|url=https://www.nba.com/suns/news/suns-sign-keita-bates-diop-drew-eubanks-chimezie-metu-and-yuta-watanabe|website=NBA.com|access-date=July 4, 2023|date=July 4, 2023}} on a one year contract. On Christmas Day, Metu had a career-high double-double of 23 points and 19 rebounds off the bench in a 128–114 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

On February 8, 2024, Metu was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team trade involving the Brooklyn Nets{{cite web|title=Grizzlies complete three-team trade with Suns and Nets|url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlies-complete-three-team-trade-with-suns-and-nets|website=NBA.com|date=February 8, 2024|access-date=February 8, 2024}} and the next day, he was waived.{{cite web|title=Memphis Grizzlies sign GG Jackson II to Multi-Year Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/memphis-grizzlies-sign-gg-jackson-ii-to-multi-year-contract|website=NBA.com|date=February 9, 2024|access-date=February 9, 2024}}

On March 20, 2024, Metu signed a 10-day contract with the Detroit Pistons{{cite web|title=DETROIT PISTONS SIGN CHIMEZIE METU TO 10-DAY CONTRACT|url=https://www.nba.com/pistons/news/detroit-pistons-sign-chimezie-metu-to-10-day-contract|website=NBA.com|date=March 20, 2024|access-date=March 30, 2024}} and on March 30, he signed for the rest of the season.{{cite web|first=Tristan|last=Tucker|title=Pistons Signing Chimezie Metu For Rest Of Season|url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/03/pistons-signing-chimezie-metu-for-rest-of-season.html|website=HoopsRumors.com|date=March 30, 2024|access-date=March 30, 2024}}

File:2025-03-07 ALBA Berlin gegen FC Barcelona Bàsquet (EuroLeague 2024-25) by Sandro Halank–131.jpg game with FC Barcelona in 2025]]

On July 30, 2024, Metu signed a one year contract with FC Barcelona.{{cite web|title=Chimezie Metu joins the team|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/4070967/chimezie-metu-joins-the-team|website=FCBarcelona.com|date=July 30, 2024|access-date=July 30, 2024}} Metu had an impressive first season in Europe with the Catalans. After missing more than a month of play due to a knee sprain in November,{{cite web|first=Eloy|last=Rodellar|title=Chimezie Metu regresa a lo grande pese al desenlace final

|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/baloncesto/20241228/1002377958/ilusionante-regreso-chimezie-metu-desdibujado-barca.html|website=Mundo Deportivo|date=December 29, 2024|access-date=March 26, 2025|lang=es}} Metu significantly improved his numbers with key performances against Valencia and Crvena Zvezda.{{cite web|first=Eloy|last=Rodellar|title=Chimezie Metu engrasa la máquina a tiempo

|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/baloncesto/20250114/1002385796/mejor-chimezie-metu-peor-momento.html|website=Mundo Deportivo|date=January 14, 2025|access-date=March 26, 2025|lang=es}} He averaged 11 points per game in EuroLeague{{cite web|title=Chimezie Metu|url=https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/chimezie-metu/013379/|website=euroleaguebasketball.net|access-date=March 26, 2025}} and 13.2 in Liga ACB,{{cite web|title=Chimezie Metu|url=https://www.acb.com/jugador/temporada-a-temporada/id/30003392|website=acb.com|lang=es|access-date=March 26, 2025}} becoming a key player in FC Barcelona's frontcourt. His performance sparked rumors about a possible contract extension with Barcelona or offers from other European clubs, such as alleged interest from rivals Real Madrid.{{cite web|first=Ramon|last=Palomar|title=El Barça ya trabaja en la renovación de Metu|url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/baloncesto/barca-trabaja-renovacion-metu-113556218|website=Sport|date=January 20, 2025|access-date=March 26, 2025|lang=es}}{{cite web|first=Ramon|last=Palomar|title=‘Guerra’ de fichajes entre Barça y Madrid a 48 horas del Clásico

|url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/baloncesto/guerra-fichajes-48-horas-clasico-114682831|website=Sport|date=February 25, 2025|access-date=March 26, 2025|lang=es}}

However, Metu was unable to finish the season, as he suffered a major injury in one of the final games of the regular season. On March 25, 2025, he had to be helped off the court after rupturing his achilles tendon in a EuroLeague loss against FC Bayern at home.{{cite web|first=Lluís Carles|last=Pérez|title=¡Grave lesión de Chimezie Metu, otro palo durísimo para el Barça!

|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/baloncesto/euroliga/20250325/1002432743/grave-lesion-chimezie-metu-palo-durisimo-barca.html|website=Mundo Deportivo|date=March 25, 2025|access-date=March 26, 2025|lang=es}} After the rupture of his achilles tendon was confirmed to be total, Metu would undergo surgery in his home country, with an expected recovery time of at least 9 months.{{cite web|first=José Ignacio|last=Huguet|title=Chimezie Metu decide operarse en USA: ¿Y ahora qué, Barça y Real Madrid? |url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/baloncesto/20250328/1002434323/chimezie-metu-decide-operarse-estados-unidos.html|website=Mundo Deportivo|date=March 28, 2025|access-date=April 1, 2025|lang=es}}

On August 27, 2019, Metu was included in the Nigerian final roster for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/nbbfonline/status/1166266786196742144|title=Guessing Game is over. It is now official! @alexnwora announces final 12 for @FIBAWC in China|date=August 27, 2019|website=#NBBF on Twitter.com|accessdate=August 27, 2019}}

{{NBA player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2018}}

| style="text-align:left;"|San Antonio

| 29 || 0 || 5.0 || .328 || .000 || .765 || 1.2 || .4 || .2 || .1 || 1.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2019}}

| style="text-align:left;"|San Antonio

| 18 || 0 || 5.8 || .571 || .000 || .769 || 1.8 || .6 || .2 || .3 || 3.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2020}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Sacramento

| 36 || 6 || 13.6 || .508 || .351 || .721 || 3.1 || .8 || .4 || .5 || 6.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2021}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Sacramento

| 60 || 20 || 21.3 || .452 || .306 || .780 || 5.6 || 1.0 || .9 || .5 || 8.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2022}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Sacramento

| 66 || 0 || 10.4 || .589 || .237 || .740 || 3.0 || .6 || .3 || .3 || 4.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2023}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Phoenix

| 37 || 5 || 12.1 || .508 || .294 || .884 || 3.0 || .5 || .5 || .2 || 5.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2023|nolink=y}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Detroit

| 14 || 7 || 29.4 || .500 || .302 || .952 || 6.0 || 1.9 || 1.7 || .5 || 10.5

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" |Career

| 260 || 38 || 13.7 || .495 || .298 || .787 || 3.5 || .8 || .5 || .4 || 5.9

{{s-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2023

| style="text-align:left;"| Sacramento

| 3 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || {{sort|-|—}} || .667 || .3 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .7

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 3 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || {{sort|-|—}} || .667 || .3 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .7

{{S-end}}

{{Euroleague player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2024–25

| style="text-align:left;"| Barcelona

| 24 || 2 || 20.0 || .624 || .364 || .750 || 4.8 || 1.0 || .6 || .6 || 11.0 || 11.8

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 24 || 2 || 20.0 || .624 || .364 || .750 || 4.8 || 1.0 || .6 || .6 || 11.0 || 11.8

{{S-end}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"

! Year

! Team

! League

! {{Tooltip|GP|Games played}}

! {{Tooltip|MPG|Minutes per game}}

! {{Tooltip|FG%|Field goal percentage}}

! {{Tooltip|3P%|3-point field-goal percentage}}

! {{Tooltip|FT%|Free-throw percentage}}

! {{Tooltip|RPG|Rebounds per game}}

! {{Tooltip|APG|Assists per game}}

! {{Tooltip|SPG|Steals per game}}

! {{Tooltip|BPG|Blocks per game}}

! {{Tooltip|PPG|Points per game}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2024–25 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} Barcelona || style="text-align:center;"|ACB || 20 || 20.0 || .698 || .431 || .660 || 3.8 || 1.0 || .7 || .6 || 13.2

{{S-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2015–16

| style="text-align:left;"|USC

| 34 || 2 || 18.5 || .518 || .000 || .513 || 3.6 || .5 || .6 || 1.6 || 6.4

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2016–17

| style="text-align:left;"|USC

| 36 || 36 || 31.3 || .552 || .500 || .741 || 7.8 || 1.4 || .8 || 1.5 || 14.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2017–18

| style="text-align:left;"|USC

| 34 || 33 || 31.0 || .523 || .300 || .730 || 7.4 || 1.6 || .8 || 1.7 || 15.7

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 104 || 71 || 27.0 || .533 || .302 || .692 || 6.3 || 1.2 || .7 || 1.6 || 12.3

{{s-end}}

Born in Los Angeles, he spent the first years of his life in California before moving to Nigeria with his father at the age of six. He then lived in Nigeria the following six years. In Nigeria, he played soccer.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ozy.com/rising-stars/all-611-of-chimezie-metu-could-be-headed-to-the-nba/71598|title=The High School Player Who Dunked on a Miami Heat Superstar|last=Holm|first=Max|work=OZY|access-date=April 22, 2018|language=en|archive-date=April 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422202829/https://www.ozy.com/rising-stars/all-611-of-chimezie-metu-could-be-headed-to-the-nba/71598|url-status=dead}}

{{reflist}}

{{basketballstats |nba=1629002 |bbr=m/metuch01}}

• [https://usctrojans.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=442 USC Trojans bio]

{{FC Barcelona Bàsquet current roster}}

{{2018 NBA draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Metu, Chimezie}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup players

Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen

Category:American basketball players of Nigerian descent

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Austin Spurs players

Category:Basketball players at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Category:Basketball players from Los Angeles

Category:Centers (basketball)

Category:Detroit Pistons players

Category:FC Barcelona Bàsquet players

Category:Lawndale High School alumni

Category:Liga ACB players

Category:Nigerian men's basketball players

Category:Olympic basketball players for Nigeria

Category:Phoenix Suns players

Category:Power forwards

Category:Sacramento Kings players

Category:San Antonio Spurs draft picks

Category:San Antonio Spurs players

Category:Sportspeople from Lawndale, California

Category:USC Trojans men's basketball players

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:21st-century Nigerian sportsmen