Nigerian American basketball star Chimezie Metu is on the verge of securing a move to Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray, with reports indicating that both parties are finalising an agreement ahead of the new basketball season.
The proposed transfer represents another significant step in the 29 year old forward’s career following an impressive return from a serious Achilles tendon injury that threatened to derail his progress just over a year ago. Despite attracting interest from several clubs competing in Europe’s elite basketball competitions, Metu is expected to continue his career in Turkey, where Galatasaray are strengthening their squad as they target success in both domestic competition and the Basketball Champions League.
Metu arrives with a wealth of experience gained across both the NBA and European basketball. His versatility, athleticism and ability to play as both a power forward and centre have made him one of the most sought after free agents on the European market this summer.
The former NBA player enjoyed an impressive spell with Gran Canaria after joining the Spanish side midway through the 2025 and 2026 campaign. His arrival came after months of rehabilitation following the Achilles injury he sustained while representing FC Barcelona Bàsquet.
Many questioned whether the Nigerian American could quickly rediscover the form that made him one of Barcelona’s standout performers before the injury. Metu answered those doubts in convincing fashion.
Across 12 appearances in Spain’s Liga ACB, he averaged 14.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in approximately 26 minutes per game. His efficiency was equally impressive, converting 50 percent of his field goal attempts while shooting 36.5 percent from three point range. Those numbers highlighted not only his scoring ability but also the confidence with which he returned to competitive basketball after such a lengthy absence.
One of the most remarkable aspects of his comeback was his consistency. Metu reached double figures in scoring in 11 of his 12 league appearances, demonstrating that he had lost little of the sharpness that previously made him an important contributor at the highest level.
Among his standout performances was an 18 point display against Baskonia. He also produced an excellent all round performance against Unicaja, finishing with 17 points and eight rebounds before adding another 15 point outing against Valencia Basket. Those displays convinced many observers that the injury had not diminished either his athletic ability or his confidence on the court.
Before suffering the Achilles injury in March 2025, Metu had established himself as one of Barcelona’s most reliable performers during his debut EuroLeague campaign.
He averaged 11 points, 4.8 rebounds and one assist per game while shooting an outstanding 62.4 percent from two point range and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc. His contributions extended beyond scoring, with consistent defensive performances reflected in his steals, blocked shots and overall efficiency rating.
One of the highlights of his time in Barcelona came against Anadolu Efes, where he delivered a season high 21 point performance. He also produced another memorable display against Crvena Zvezda, recording 16 points and six rebounds while posting one of his highest efficiency ratings of the campaign.
Between Rounds 22 and 31 of the EuroLeague season, Metu emerged as one of Barcelona’s most dependable players. During that stretch he consistently reached double figures in scoring while maintaining impressive shooting percentages from both inside and outside the paint. His performances helped establish him as one of Europe’s rising frontcourt talents before injury interrupted his momentum.
Long before making his mark in Europe, Metu built a solid reputation in the NBA. Selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2018 NBA Draft, he went on to spend six seasons in the league representing the Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons.
Across 260 regular season NBA appearances, Metu averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds while earning praise for his athleticism, rebounding ability and energy on both ends of the floor. His NBA experience has become a valuable asset during his transition to European basketball, where his physical style and versatility continue to stand out.
For Galatasaray, signing a player of Metu’s calibre would represent a major statement of intent ahead of the new season. The Turkish club has been working to strengthen its roster as it aims to compete for honours domestically while mounting a serious challenge in the Basketball Champions League.
Should the agreement be completed, Metu will join a club with a passionate fan base and a rich sporting tradition. The move would also place another Nigerian talent in Turkish sport, where football star Victor Osimhen has already become a fan favourite with Galatasaray’s football team. Although they compete in different sports, the presence of two high profile Nigerian athletes would further strengthen the country’s sporting influence in Turkey.
For Metu, the anticipated transfer is another opportunity to demonstrate that he has fully recovered from one of the most difficult injuries in professional sport. His impressive performances since returning have already shown that he remains capable of competing at the highest level.
If the deal is completed as expected, Galatasaray will be acquiring not only an experienced international player but also a proven competitor whose resilience, versatility and winning mentality could prove invaluable in the club’s pursuit of silverware during the 2026 and 2027 season.
