Chimezie Metu

Chimezie Chukwudum Metu // ⓘ (born March 22, 1997) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the USC Trojans.

Chimezie Metu
Metu with USC in 2016
No. 4 – Phoenix Suns
PositionPower forward / center
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1997-03-22) March 22, 1997
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
NationalityNigerian / American
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolLawndale (Lawndale, California)
CollegeUSC (2015–2018)
NBA draft2018: 2nd round, 49th overall pick
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2020San Antonio Spurs
2018–2020→Austin Spurs
2020–2023Sacramento Kings
2023–presentPhoenix Suns
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-Pac-12 (2018)
  • Second-team All-Pac-12 (2017)
  • Pac-12 Most Improved Player (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 (2020–2023)

On November 28, 2020, Metu signed with the Sacramento Kings,[9] but was waived on December 22 after appearing in four pre-season games.[10] Two days later, he signed a two-way contract with the Kings.[11] On April 28, 2021, the Kings signed him to a multi-year deal after making 28 appearances.[12]

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.[13] The next day, the NBA suspended Metu for the Summer League championship game, which the Kings won.[14]

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.[15]

Phoenix Suns (2023–present)

On July 4, 2023, Metu signed with the Phoenix Suns.[16]

National team career

On August 27, 2019, Metu was included in the Nigerian final roster for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[17]

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

NBA
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
2020–21 Sacramento 36613.6.508.351.7213.1.8.4.56.3
2021–22 Sacramento 602021.3.452.306.7805.61.0.9.58.9
2022–23 Sacramento 66010.4.589.237.7403.0.6.3.34.9
Career 2092612.9.492.298.7553.4.7.5.45.7

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023 Sacramento 302.0.000—.667.3.0.0.0.7
Career 302.0.000—.667.3.0.0.0.7

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.[18]

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. "Kings Sign Chimezie Metu To Multi-Year Contract". NBA.com. April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  13. "Watch: Kings' Chimezie Metu throws punch in Summer League game". Yardbarker. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  14. "Kings' Chimezie Metu suspended for Summer League championship game after punching opponent in the head". CBS Sports. August 16, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  15. "Metu's game-winning buzzer-beater seals Kings' win over Mavs". NBA.com. December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  16. "SUNS SIGN KEITA BATES-DIOP, DREW EUBANKS, CHIMEZIE METU AND YUTA WATANABE". NBA.com. July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  17. "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.
  18. Holm, Max. "The High School Player Who Dunked on a Miami Heat Superstar". OZY. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
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