D’Tigers forward Chimezie Metu is reportedly on the verge of signing a one-year contract with Turkish basketball powerhouse Fenerbahçe Istanbul, contingent upon the outcome of a medical evaluation, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 28-year-old Nigerian-American, who is capable of playing both the forward and centre positions, most recently featured for Spanish club FC Barcelona, competing in both the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague during the 2023–2024 season.
According to BasketNews, negotiations between Metu and Fenerbahçe are at an advanced stage, with both parties nearing final agreement. However, the finalisation of contractual terms remains subject to a comprehensive medical assessment, necessitated by Metu’s Achilles tendon rupture sustained in March 2024.
“Fenerbahce Istanbul is nearing an agreement with big man Chimezie Metu. However, the deal is expected to be finalised pending one key condition: a successful medical evaluation,” BasketNews stated.
Fenerbahçe, as a top-tier European club, is expected to undertake a rigorous evaluation of the player’s rehabilitation status before executing the contract.
Sources close to the negotiations indicate that Metu is targeting a return to competitive action by December 2025, with renewed optimism surrounding his recovery trajectory due to his athletic profile and prior performance metrics.
If signed, the agreement would mark a significant step in Metu’s professional comeback and bolster Fenerbahçe’s frontcourt options heading into the upcoming EuroLeague and domestic campaigns.
Chimezie Metu, a seasoned professional with 260 NBA regular-season appearances between 2018 and 2024, recently completed a standout rookie campaign in the EuroLeague with FC Barcelona, demonstrating both versatility and efficiency in the frontcourt.
During the 2023–2024 EuroLeague season, Metu averaged 11.0 points per game, converting 62.4% of his two-point field goals and 36.4% from beyond the arc. He also contributed 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game, with an average Performance Index Rating (PIR) of 11.8 in approximately 20 minutes per game.
Metu’s performance highlights include a season-high 21-point outing against Anadolu Efes, as well as a dominant display versus Crvena Zvezda, where he registered 16 points and 6 rebounds. From gameday 22 to 31, he posted double-digit scoring in every fixture, averaging 13.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, shooting 65% from two-point range and 37% from three—underscoring a peak in form prior to his Achilles tendon injury.
In addition to his club achievements, Metu remains a key asset for the Nigerian national team (D’Tigers), most recently representing the country during the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Lagos, Nigeria, in August 2023, ahead of the Paris 2024 Summer Games.
Fenerbahçe Istanbul is currently monitoring Metu as one of three strategic targets for the upcoming season. The Turkish franchise is also reportedly assessing the availability of Vasilije Micić and Tarik Biberović as part of their broader roster reinforcement initiative.#newsafro_
