By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
FC Barcelona is considering options to reinforce the paint, including a possible return of 28-year-old Chimezie Metu.
The former University of Southern California standout, a veteran of 263 NBA games, was initially linked to a departure from the Catalonia giant, replaced by newcomer Tornike Shengelia, but might be running it back with the team coached by Joan Penarroya, according to insider Chema de Lucas.
The report on Monday also reveals a potential plan to add another center, beyond Metu. The current Barca roster lists Jan Vesely and Willy Hernangomez as available for the five position, heading to the 2025-26 installments of the EuroLeague and Spain’s Liga Endesa. Besides Shengelia, other players under contract for the next season are Dario Brizuela, Myles Cale, Will Clyburn, Nicolas Laprovittola, Juani Marcos, Juan Nunez, Joel Parra, and Kevin Punter.
In the 2018 NBA draft, Metu was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 49th overall pick. After two years with his first team, he went on to suit up for the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, and Detroit Pistons, until the bottom end of the 2023-24 campaign. In the following offseason, he signed a one-year contract with Barca last July. His first overseas journey was marked by a total rupture of his Achilles tendon, forcing a premature end to the 2024-25 season.
Introducing himself to the top-tier club continental competition of Europe, Metu tallied 11.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks per contest over 24 appearances.