Chimezie Metu

BIOGRAPHY

Chimezie Metu was born on March 22nd, 1997, in Los Angeles, California. He is a power forward in the NBA. 

Metu 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 for the following six years. In Nigeria, he played soccer.

Metu attended Lawndale High School in Lawndale, California. A four-star recruit, he committed to the USC Trojans on May 12th, 2014.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 23rd, 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. On March 5th, 2018, he was named 1st Team All-Pac-12, along with teammate Jordan McLaughlin. 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.

In the 2018 NBA draft, Metu was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs. He was added to the NBA Summer League roster, and in September, he was added to the active roster. On October 20th, 2018, Metu made his NBA debut and made two points, two rebounds and a block against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Internationally, on August 27th, 2019, Metu was added to the Nigerian roster for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. 

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