Chimezie Metu

Chimezie Chukwudum Metu (born March 22, 1997) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the USC Trojans.

Chimezie Metu
Metu with USC in 2016
No. 25 – Sacramento Kings
PositionPower forward / Center
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1997-03-22) March 22, 1997
Los Angeles, California
NationalityNigerian / American
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High schoolLawndale (Lawndale, California)
CollegeUSC (2015–2018)
NBA draft2018 / Round: 2 / Pick: 49th overall
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2020San Antonio Spurs
2018–2020→Austin Spurs
2020–presentSacramento Kings
2020–present→Stockton Kings
Career highlights and awards
  • Pac-12 Most Improved Player (2017)
  • First-team All-Pac-12 (2018)
  • Second-team All-Pac-12 (2017)
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 University of Southern California (USC) 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 (2018–2020)

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] On November 20, 2020, the Spurs waived Metu.[8]

Sacramento Kings (2020–present)

On November 28, 2020, Metu signed with the Sacramento Kings,[9] but was later waived by the Kings after appearing in four pre-season games.[10] Two days later on December 24, the Sacramento Kings announced that they had re-signed with Metu to a two-way contract.[11]

National team career

On August 27, 2019, Metu was included in the Nigerian final roster for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[12]

Career statistics
Legend
  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

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 San Antonio 2905.0.328.000.7651.2.4.2.11.8
2019–20 San Antonio 1805.8.571.000.7691.8.6.2.33.2
Career 4705.3.430.000.7671.5.5.2.22.3

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 USC 34218.5.518.000.5133.6.5.61.66.4
2016–17 USC 363631.3.552.500.7417.81.4.81.514.8
2017–18 USC 343331.0.523.300.7307.41.6.81.715.7
Career 1047127.0.533.302.6926.31.2.71.612.3

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.[13]

References
  1. Budrovich (May 12, 2014). "Andy Enfield Lands Four-Star Recruit Chimezie Metu". Conquest Chronicle. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  2. 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.
  3. "2017-18 Pac-12 Men's Basketball All-Conference Teams announced". Pac-12 Conference. Pac-12 Conference.
  4. Kaufman, Joey (March 22, 2018). "USC junior Chimezie Metu declares for NBA draft". Orange County Register. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  5. "SPURS ANNOUNCE 2018 UTAH SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER". NBA.com. June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  6. "SPURS SIGN 2018 SECOND ROUND PICK CHIMEZIE METU". NBA.com. September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  7. "Lillard has 29 and Portland beats San Antonio 121-108". ESPN.com. October 20, 2018. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  8. "Spurs waive Chimezie Metu". NBA.com. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  9. "Kings Sign Chimezie Metu". NBA.com. November 28, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  10. "Kings Waive Chimezie Metu". NBA.com. December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  11. "Kings Sign Chimezie Metu To A Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  12. "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.
  13. Holm, Max. "The High School Player Who Dunked on a Miami Heat Superstar". OZY. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
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