Chimezie Metu joins the team

Chimezie Metu and FC Barcelona have reached an agreement for the 27-year-old power forward and centre to join the club for one season through to 30 June 2025.

He comes to the Palau as a free agent after playing the final part of last season at the Detroit Pistons in the NBA, averaging 10.5 points, 6 rebounds and 1.9 assists. This will be his first experience outside of the United States and he is the fourth new addition to the roster after Kevin Punter, Justin Anderson and Juan Núñez. 

He is mainly a small forward, but is very used to playing at centre too. His 2.08 metres do nothing to prevent him from being extraordinarily athletic, being highly mobile, strong on the paint and an adept 3-point shooter. 

He was born in Los Angeles but because of his Nigerian descent was able to compete for that country at the Tokyo Olympics, having started out playing college hoops at the USC Trojans (South Carolina).

In 2018, he was a 49th pick in the NBA Draft for the San Antonio Spurs, and after two years there he switched to the Sacramento Kings (2020-23). He started 2023/24 with the Phoenix Suns, but was traded to the Pistons for the latter part of the campaign, and this summer has opted to cross the water and play for Barça.