Los Angeles Lakers workout ‘a dream come true’ for Chimezie Metu
USC forward Chimezie Metu said it was “a dream come true” to be working out for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers have begun their pre-draft workouts for the 2018 NBA Draft. They have already hosted three six-player groups including some individual workouts as well.
The first workout was headlined by Wisconsin center, Ethan Happ. In the second workout, the Lakers focused on the defensive end of the court. In the third, a local product took part.
In the third six-player workout, Lawndale native and USC forward, Chemezie Metu, headlined the group. Metu grew up only 10 minutes away from the STAPLES Center. With his basketball career entering its next phase, Metu could put on the purple and gold that he grew up rooting for.
If Metu lands with the Lakers, it would be a dream come true for him. Even just getting to workout for the team was a dream for Metu.
"“I’ve been a Laker fan my whole life,” said Metu, the former USC forward who was named to the All-Pac-12 first team as a junior. “Just being in here is crazy to me. … Today was a dream come true to come out here and work out.”"
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Right now, Metu looks like he could be squarely on the Lakers’ radar. Los Angeles owns the No. 25 and No. 47 overall picks. Metu is a late first-round, early second round prospect right now. Depending on how the pre-draft process goes, his stock will fluctuate in the coming weeks.
Last season with the Trojans, Metu averaged 15.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals per game. Metu has some developing to do offensively but could make an impact at the next level right away on the defensive end of the court.
In his three seasons at USC, Metu had a 6.2 block percentage. During the 2017-18 regular season in the NBA, only Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks had a number that high at 6.4 percent. To become the force that Porzingis is on the inside Metu will need to add some size and strength, but the tools are there for him to succeed.
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Metu fits the mold of the modern NBA. He is athletic and mobile, a must for big men if they want to succeed in the NBA. If Metu can continue developing offensively, especially the range on his jump shot, he should have no problem carving out a role with a team at the next level.