Chimezie Metu Nears Fenerbahçe Move, Pending Medical Clearance

Chimezie Metu, a standout player for D’Tigers, is likely to join Fenerbahce Istanbul for the upcoming basketball season, pending a successful medical examination.

The 28-year-old Nigerian, skilled in both centre and forward positions, is on the brink of linking up with Fenerbahce. He played last season for the Spanish club FC Barcelona in Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. Discussions with Fenerbahce appear to be advancing, and it’s believed he will sign a one-year contract soon.

As noted by BasketNews, the deal with Chimezie Metu is progressing, but it hinges on one crucial factor: the results of his medical assessment. Metu had an Achilles tendon injury in March, and Fenerbahce plans to carry out a detailed medical check to evaluate his recovery before finalizing the contract.

Hoping to be back on the court by December, Metu is reportedly optimistic about his rehabilitation, aided by his athletic build.

Over his four seasons in the NBA, from 2018 to 2024, Metu has played in 260 regular-season games and had an impressive EuroLeague rookie year with FC Barcelona. He averaged 11.0 points per game, shooting 62.4 percent from two-point range and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc. Additionally, he contributed 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.6 blocks, and a performance index rating (PIR) of 11.8 during 20 minutes of play per game.

Among his standout moments, Metu scored a season-high 21 points against Anadolu Efes and excelled against Crvena Zvezda with 16 points and 6 rebounds. He maintained double-digit scoring from games 22 to 31, averaging 13.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 65 percent from two-point range and 37 percent from three-point line.

In August 2023, prior to the 2024 Paris Summer Games, Metu last represented D’Tigers during the Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Lagos. He is currently one of three players being considered by Fenerbahce, who are also interested in Vasilije Micic and Tarik Biberovic.