Chimezie Metu to undergo surgery in the United States

By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net

After suffering an Achilles tendon rupture, Chimezie Metu will undergo surgery next week in the United States.

FC Barcelona updated his injury status on Friday.

The 28-year-old forward/center ruptured his right Achilles tendon with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter of a clash with FC Bayern Munich in Palau Blaugrana on Tuesday, in Round 31 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Following Nicolas Laprovittola (right knee surgery) and Juan Nunez (right knee surgery), Metu emerged as third Barca player being forced to a premature end of the 2024-25 journey. Jan Vesely (right knee) is also on the injury list but expected to return to action before the conclusion of the continental and domestic campaigns.

Over 24 appearances in his first EuroLeague season, Metu went for 11.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 0.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks per contest. Making his way to 20 games of Spain’s Liga Endesa Regular Season, he tallied 13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game.

Before using overseas options to further his career and sign with the Catalonia powerhouse in July, he logged 263 NBA appearances, spread between the Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, and Detroit Pistons. Coming out of the University of Southern California, USC, he was drafted by the Spurs with the 49th pick of the 2018 draft.

Playing for Nigeria in major international tournaments, the Los Angeles native went from the FIBA World Cup 2019 to the Olympic Games 2020.

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