Chimezie Metu
Chimezie Chukwudum Metu (born March 22, 1997) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the USC Trojans.
 Metu playing for USC in 2016 | |
| No. 7 – San Antonio Spurs | |
|---|---|
| Position | Power forward |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 22, 1997 Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | Nigerian / American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Lawndale (Lawndale, California) |
| College | USC (2015–2018) |
| NBA draft | 2018 / Round: 2 / Pick: 49th overall |
| Selected by the San Antonio Spurs | |
| Playing career | 2018–present |
| Career history | |
| 2018–present | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2018–2020 | →Austin Spurs |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
High school career
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 USC Trojans on May 12, 2014.[1]
College career
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.[2] On March 5, 2018, he was named 1st Team All-Pac-12 along with teammate Jordan McLaughlin.[3] 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.[4]
Professional career
San Antonio Spurs (2018–present)
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.[5] On September 4, 2018, Metu signed with the San Antonio Spurs.[6] 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.[7]
International career
On August 27, 2019, Metu was included in the Nigerian final roster for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[8]
Career statistics
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
NBA
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | San Antonio | 29 | 0 | 5.0 | .328 | .000 | .765 | 1.2 | .4 | .2 | .1 | 1.8 |
| Career | 29 | 0 | 5.0 | .328 | .000 | .765 | 1.2 | .4 | .2 | .1 | 1.8 | |
Personal life
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.[9]
References
- Budrovich (May 12, 2014). "Andy Enfield Lands Four-Star Recruit Chimezie Metu". Conquest Chronicle. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- Thiry, Lindsey (March 7, 2018). "Even with all the turmoil, USC's Chimezie Metu says he's glad he returned for his junior season". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
- "2017-18 Pac-12 Men's Basketball All-Conference Teams announced". Pac-12 Conference. Pac-12 Conference.
- Kaufman, Joey (March 22, 2018). "USC junior Chimezie Metu declares for NBA draft". Orange County Register. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
- "SPURS ANNOUNCE 2018 UTAH SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER". NBA.com. June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- "SPURS SIGN 2018 SECOND ROUND PICK CHIMEZIE METU". NBA.com. September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- "Lillard has 29 and Portland beats San Antonio 121-108". ESPN.com. October 20, 2018. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
- "Guessing Game is over. It is now official! @alexnwora announces final 12 for @FIBAWC in China". #NBBF on Twitter.com. August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
- Holm, Max. "The High School Player Who Dunked on a Miami Heat Superstar". OZY. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Basketball-Reference.com
- USC Trojans bio