Fenerbahce extends forward Metecan Birsen

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul penned a one-year extension with homegrown forward Metecan Birsen, the club announced Monday. Birsen (2.05 meters, 30 years old) has spent the last four years with Fenerbahce, the club where he grew up and made his professional and EuroLeague debuts more than a decade ago.

Last season, in which Fenerbahce won the triple crown, Birsen made only two EuroLeague appearances, but has played in 34 Turkish League games, averaging 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds, helping the team win the championship.

Birsen had a very successful career in the junior ranks. While playing for U18 Fenerbahce, as a 17-year old, he was the MVP of the 2012 Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals. He also made his EuroLeague debut with Fenerbahce in the 2013-14 campaign, when he appeared in eight games.

In the EuroLeague, Birsen made seven appearances with Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the 2018-19 season. During his career Birsen has also played with Eskisehir, Istanbul BB, Sakarya Buyuksehir and Pinar Karsiyaka Izmir before returning to his boyhood club in 2021.

As a standout in youth categories, Birsen helped Turkey to gold medals at the U18 European Championship in 2013 and the U20 European Championship in 2014. He has also been a member of the Turkish national team.