Metecan Birsen

Metecan Birsen
Birsen with Fenerbahçe in 2024
No. 1 – Fenerbahçe Beko
PositionPower forward / Small forward
LeagueBSL
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (1995-04-06) April 6, 1995 (age 29)
Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
NationalityTurkish / Irish
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight223 lb (101 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2017: undrafted
Playing career2011–present
Career history
2011–2015Fenerbahçe Beko
2014–2015→ Eskişehir
2015–2017İstanbul BB
2017–2018Sakarya BB
2018–2019Anadolu Efes
2019–2021Pınar Karşıyaka
2021–presentFenerbahçe Beko
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Turkey
FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
Gold medal – first place 2014 Greece U-20 Team
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Italy U-20 Team
FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
Gold medal – first place 2013 Latvia U-18 Team
FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Montenegro U-16 Team
Birsen with Sakarya BB in 2018

James Metecan Birsen (born April 6, 1995) is a Turkish-Irish[1] professional basketball player for Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Super League (BSL) and the EuroLeague. Standing at 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), he plays at the small forward and power forward positions.

Professional career

Birsen grew up with the Fenerbahçe Ülker juniors team and he made his debut with Fenerbahçe during the 2011–12 season. On 26 August 2014, he was loaned for a season to Olin Edirne, later renamed as Eskişehir Basket.[2][3] Then Olin Edirne relocated to Eskişehir as Eskişehir Basket. Over 23 Turkish League games played in the 2014–15 season, he averaged 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.

On 12 June 2018, Birsen was announced by Anadolu Efes, where he signed a 2-year contract.[4]

On July 17, 2019, he has signed 1-year deal with Pınar Karşıyaka of the Turkish Super League.[5]

On June 29, 2021, Birsen signed a three-year (2+1) deal with Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Super League and the EuroLeague, returning to the club after six seasons.[6] On May 30, 2023, he renewed his contract through 2026.

Turkish national team

He has been member of the Turkish Under-16 and Under-18 national team.[7] He won the bronze medal at the 2010 European U-16 Championship.

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high

EuroLeague

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2013–14 Fenerbahçe 8 1 5.5 .286 .000 .500 1.1 — .4 .1 0.6 0.5
2018–19 Anadolu Efes 9 1 3.9 .600 .333 — .4 .3 — .1 1.4 1.4
2021–22 Fenerbahçe 14 0 7.9 .250 .222 .333 1.2 .3 .1 — 0.9 0.6
2022–23 28 3 7.7 .345 .323 .667 1.5 .3 .1 .0 2.0 1.5
Career 59 5 6.9 .352 .289 .529 1.2 .3 .1 .1 1.5 1.1

Basketball Champions League

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020–21 Karşıyaka 14 7 21.8 .432 .300 .800 5.5 .9 .4 .1 6.4
Career 14 7 21.8 .432 .300 .800 5.5 .9 .4 .1 6.4

FIBA Europe Cup

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Karşıyaka 14 10 22.4 .427 .300 .786 5.4 1.9 .7 .5 8.7
Career 14 10 22.4 .427 .300 .786 5.4 1.9 .7 .5 8.7

Domestic leagues

Year Team League GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 Turkey Fenerbahçe TBL 2 2.7 .000 .000 — .5 — — — 0.0
2012–13 Turkey İstanbul BB TB2L 17 12.6 .478 .250 .613 3.6 .6 .1 .1 5.2
2012–13 Turkey Fenerbahçe TBL 6 4.4 .556 .333 .500 .7 .3 .2 — 2.3
2013–14 Turkey Fenerbahçe TBL 27 10.7 .488 .382 .613 1.8 .6 .3 .0 4.1
2014–15 Turkey Eskişehir TBL 22 13.7 .419 .182 .667 1.9 .7 .3 .1 3.3
2015–16 Turkey İstanbul BB TBSL 27 13.7 .455 .351 .581 3.0 .5 .4 .1 4.5
2016–17 Turkey İstanbul BB TBSL 22 16.7 .427 .333 .690 2.6 .6 .4 .1 5.9
2017–18 Turkey Sakarya BB TBSL 25 25.6 .432 .171 .706 6.1 2.0 .8 .1 8.3
2018–19 Turkey Anadolu Efes TBSL 35 13.0 .435 .352 .818 2.7 .7 .4 .1 4.3
2019–20 Turkey Karşıyaka TBSL 23 22.2 .473 .329 .632 4.8 1.6 .7 .1 9.1
2020–21 Turkey Karşıyaka TBSL 32 23.3 .430 .360 .692 5.4 1.3 .4 .1 8.9
2021–22 Turkey Fenerbahçe TBSL 41 16.3 .449 .300 .780 2.9 .9 .5 .0 5.3
2022–23 Turkey Fenerbahçe TBSL 22 22.2 .446 .397 .548 4.9 1.1 1.0 .1 6.4
2023–24 Turkey Fenerbahçe TBSL 17 9.1 .276 .091 .286 2.1 .4 .1 .1 1.1

Personal life

He was born to a Turkish father and an Irish mother.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ "METECAN BIRSEN | EuroLeague".
  2. ^ Olin Edirne confirmed Metecan's loan deal
  3. ^ Metecan to set Olin loan
  4. ^ "Birsen signed with Anadolu Efes for two years". 12 June 2018.
  5. ^ "Metecan Birsen, Pınar Karşıyaka'da" (in Turkish). Ntvspor. July 17, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  6. ^ "Son Dakika Transfer Haberi: Metecan Birsen Fenerbahçe Beko'da! - Spor Haberleri". www.hurriyet.com.tr. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  7. ^ "Turkey Roster". U18 European Championship Men Division A. 2013-07-29. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
  8. ^ Attention to James "Baby" Metecan Archived 2014-03-12 at archive.today
  9. ^ Turkish youngsters
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