Metecan Birsen

James Metecan Birsen (born April 6, 1995) is a Turkish-Irish[1] professional basketball player for Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Super League (BSL) and the EuroLeague. Standing at 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), he plays at the small forward and power forward positions.

Metecan Birsen
Birsen with Fenerbahçe in 2023
No. 1 – Fenerbahçe Beko
PositionPower forward / Small forward
LeagueBSL
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (1995-04-06) April 6, 1995
Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
NationalityTurkish / Irish
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight223 lb (101 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2017: undrafted
Playing career2011–present
Career history
2011–2015Fenerbahçe Beko
2014–2015→ Eskişehir
2015–2017İstanbul BB
2017–2018Sakarya BB
2018–2019Anadolu Efes
2019–2021Pınar Karşıyaka
2021–presentFenerbahçe Beko
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Turkey
FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
Gold medal – first place2014 GreeceU-20 Team
Bronze medal – third place2015 ItalyU-20 Team
FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
Gold medal – first place2013 LatviaU-18 Team
FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship
Bronze medal – third place2010 MontenegroU-16 Team
Birsen with Sakarya BB in 2018

Professional career

Birsen grew up with the Fenerbahçe Ülker juniors team and he made his debut with Fenerbahçe during the 2011–12 season. On 26 August 2014, he was loaned for a season to Olin Edirne, later renamed as Eskişehir Basket.[2][3] Then Olin Edirne relocated to Eskişehir as Eskişehir Basket. Over 23 Turkish League games played in the 2014–15 season, he averaged 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.

On 12 June 2018, Birsen was announced by Anadolu Efes, where he signed a 2-year contract.[4]

On July 17, 2019, he has signed 1-year deal with Pınar Karşıyaka of the Turkish Super League.[5]

On June 29, 2021, Birsen signed a three-year (2+1) deal with Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Super League and the EuroLeague, returning to the club after six seasons.[6] On May 30, 2023, he renewed his contract through 2026.

Turkish national team

He has been member of the Turkish Under-16 and Under-18 national team.[7] He won the bronze medal at the 2010 European U-16 Championship.

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  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high

EuroLeague
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2013–14 Fenerbahçe 815.3.400.000.5001.10.4.2.6.5
2018–19 Anadolu Efes 913.5.714.333.0000.4.3.0.11.41.4
2021–22 Fenerbahçe 1407.5.286.222.3331.2.3.1.1.9.6
2022–23 2338.5.400.323.6671.6.4.1.12.41.7
Career 5457.2.432.289.5291.2.3.1.11.61.2

Personal life

He was born to a Turkish father and an Irish mother.[8][9]

References
  1. https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/metecan-birsen/003091/
  2. Olin Edirne confirmed Metecan's loan deal
  3. Metecan to set Olin loan
  4. "Birsen signed with Anadolu Efes for two years". 12 June 2018.
  5. "Metecan Birsen, Pınar Karşıyaka'da" (in Turkish). Ntvspor. July 17, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  6. "Son Dakika Transfer Haberi: Metecan Birsen Fenerbahçe Beko'da! - Spor Haberleri". www.hurriyet.com.tr. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  7. "Turkey Roster". U18 European Championship Men Division A. 2013-07-29. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
  8. Attention to James "Baby" Metecan Archived 2014-03-12 at archive.today
  9. Turkish youngsters
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