San Antonio Spurs rookie Chimezie Metu appears to have impressed Gregg Popovich and the rest of the coaching staff during his first few months with the team. So much so, that the Spurs have decided to sign the 21-year-old to a three-year rookie deal.
NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news on Twitter.
Sources: The San Antonio Spurs and second-round pick Chimezie Metu have agreed on a three-year rookie deal. Team is high on the former USC standout.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 30, 2018
Metu was selected by the Spurs in the second round of this year's draft with the 49th overall pick. It is unsure what type of role the 6-foot-10 forward/center is expected to play in the Spurs' rotation this season.
The offseason arrival of center Jakob Poeltl (part of the DeMar Derozan-Kawhi Leonard trade package) and PF Dante Cunningham (via free agency) leaves very little room in the team's frontcourt rotation. LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol are still going to start for the Spurs, while PF Davis Bertans should still carve out a few minutes for himself off the bench.
Nonetheless, this recent development seems to imply that Metu figures to be part of the team's long term plans.
Metu played college ball for the University of Southern California. In three seasons with the Trojans, the Los Angeles native averaged 12.3 points on 53.3% shooting, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 27.0 minutes per contest.
It appears that the Spurs scouting team has struck gold yet again with Metu. The team has established a reputation of bringing out the best in relatively unknown players, and it looks like they have another gem in their rookie.
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