Khem Birch
No. 24 – Toronto Raptors | |
---|---|
Position | Center |
Personal information | |
Born | Montreal, Quebec | September 28, 1992
Nationality | Canadian |
Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
Listed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | |
College |
|
NBA draft | 2014 / Undrafted |
Playing career | 2014–present |
Career history | |
2014–2015 | Sioux Falls Skyforce |
2015–2016 | Uşak Sportif |
2016–2017 | Olympiacos |
2017–2021 | Orlando Magic |
2017–2018 | →Lakeland Magic |
2021–present | Toronto Raptors |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Khem Xavier Birch (born September 28, 1992) is a Canadian professional basketball player who plays for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Pittsburgh Panthers and the UNLV Runnin' Rebels.
High school career[]
Birch played varsity basketball for St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School in Russell, Ontario before playing out the remainder of his high school career at The Winchendon School in Winchendon, Massachusetts & Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
College career[]
In 2011–12, Birch played college basketball at the University of Pittsburgh, with the Pittsburgh Panthers. He then, in 2012, transferred to UNLV, where he played with the UNLV Runnin' Rebels. As a junior, in the 2013–14 season, he averaged 10.2 rebounds per game, which was the third highest in the Mountain West Conference, while also averaging 3.8 blocks per game,[1] which was the second highest in the Mountain West Conference.[2] During his college career, he averaged 8.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists in 25.4 minutes per game in 69 games.[3]
In April 2014, he entered the NBA draft, foregoing his final year of college eligibility.[4][5]
Professional career[]
Sioux Falls Skyforce (2014–2015)[]
After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft, Birch joined the Washington Wizards for the 2014 NBA Summer League. On September 14, 2014, he signed with his first NBA team, the Miami Heat.[6] However, he was later waived by the Heat on October 25, 2014.[7] On November 3, 2014, he was acquired by the Sioux Falls Skyforce, as an affiliate player.[8] On February 4, 2015, he was named to the Futures All-Star team for the 2015 NBA D-League All-Star Game.[9] In the 2014–15 NBD-D League season, he averaged 11.1 points per game, 9.5 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, 1.8 blocks per game, and 0.7 steals per game, in 52 games played.[10]
Uşak Sportif (2015–2016)[]
On June 30, 2015, Birch signed to play in Turkey, with Uşak Sportif of the Turkish Super League (BSL).[11] The following month, he joined the Brooklyn Nets for the 2015 Orlando Summer League[12] and the New Orleans Pelicans for the 2015 Las Vegas Summer League.[13] He went on to play with Uşak during the 2015–16 season, and he averaged 27.0 minutes, 10.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game, in 32 games played in the Turkish Super League 2015–16 season.[14]
Olympiacos (2016–2017)[]
On June 14, 2016, Birch signed to play in Greece, on a 2-year €1.1 million net income contract,[15] with the defending Greek Basket League champions, Olympiacos.[16] With Olympiacos, he averaged 15.7 minutes, 5.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game, in 33 games played in the Greek Basket League 2016–17 season.[17] He also averaged 18.1 minutes, 7.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game, in 37 games played in the EuroLeague 2016–17 season.[18]
On July 10, 2017, Birch opted out of his contract with Olympiacos, in order to sign in the NBA.[19]
Orlando Magic (2017–2021)[]
On July 27, 2017, Birch signed with the Orlando Magic.[20]
On March 14, 2019, Birch recorded a double-double, tying his career-high with 13 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, and two steals in a 120–91 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.[21]
On July 10, 2019, Birch re-signed with the Magic on a 2-year contract.[22]
On March 26, 2021, Birch had his best game of his career when he netted new career-highs with 14 points, 15 rebounds and four steals with four assists and two blocks in a 112–105 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.[23]
On April 8, 2021, Birch was waived by the Magic.[24]
Toronto Raptors (2021–present)[]
On April 10, 2021, Birch signed with the Toronto Raptors for 3-years and just over $20 million, keeping him with the team through the 2023–24 season.[25] On April 11, 2021, Birch made his debut with the Raptors, getting four points and five rebounds in 18 minutes of action during a 102–96 loss to the New York Knicks.[26] On April 14, 2021, Birch tied his career-high with 14 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks in a 117–112 win against the San Antonio Spurs.[27] On April 26, 2021, Birch ties his career-high again with 14 points, six rebounds, one assist, two steals and two blocks in a 112–96 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.[28] The next day, Birch had his first double-double with the Raptors, getting 13 points and 14 rebounds, nine which were offensive rebounds, in a 116–103 loss against the Brooklyn Nets. On April 29, 2021, Birch scored a career-high 20 points, making a career-high two three-pointers while adding nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in a 121–111 loss to the Denver Nuggets.[29]
Canadian national team[]
Birch was a member of the junior national teams of Canada. With Canada's Under-18 junior national team, he played at the 2010 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, where he won a bronze medal.[30] He is also a member of the senior men's Canadian national team. With Canada's senior national team, he played at the 2016 Manila FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Career statistics[]
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 | Bold | Career high |
NBA[]
Regular season[]
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017–18 | Orlando | 42 | 0 | 13.8 | .540 | – | .689 | 4.3 | .8 | .4 | .5 | 4.2 |
2018–19 | Orlando | 50 | 1 | 12.9 | .603 | .000 | .699 | 3.8 | .8 | .4 | .6 | 4.8 |
2019–20 | Orlando | 48 | 24 | 19.2 | .510 | .000 | .653 | 4.6 | 1.0 | .4 | .5 | 4.4 |
2020–21 | Orlando | 48 | 5 | 19.8 | .450 | .190 | .741 | 5.1 | 1.1 | .7 | .6 | 5.3 |
2020–21 | Toronto | 19 | 17 | 30.4 | .556 | .290 | .636 | 7.6 | 1.9 | .8 | 1.2 | 11.9 |
Career | 207 | 47 | 17.7 | .526 | .241 | .687 | 4.7 | 1.0 | .5 | .6 | 5.4 |
Playoffs[]
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018–19 | Orlando | 5 | 0 | 18.4 | .556 | – | .857 | 6.2 | .8 | .2 | 1.0 | 5.2 |
2019–20 | Orlando | 5 | 0 | 17.8 | .500 | – | .909 | 5.0 | 1.4 | .2 | .0 | 4.8 |
Career | 10 | 0 | 18.1 | .531 | – | .889 | 5.6 | 1.1 | .2 | .5 | 5.0 |
EuroLeague[]
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG | PIR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016–17 | Olympiacos | 37 | 21 | 18.1 | .624 | – | .643 | 5.6 | .3 | .5 | 1.0 | 7.3 | 10.8 |
Career | 37 | 21 | 18.1 | .624 | – | .643 | 5.6 | .3 | .5 | 1.0 | 7.3 | 10.8 |
College[]
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011–12 | Pittsburgh | 10 | 6 | 15.0 | .571 | – | .545 | 5.0 | .0 | .2 | 1.9 | 4.4 |
2012–13 | UNLV | 26 | 15 | 21.8 | .563 | – | .642 | 5.7 | .6 | .7 | 2.6 | 7.2 |
2013–14 | UNLV | 33 | 32 | 31.4 | .510 | – | .693 | 10.2 | 1.2 | .6 | 3.8 | 11.5 |
Career | 69 | 53 | 25.4 | .531 | – | .668 | 7.8 | .8 | .6 | 3.1 | 8.9 |
Personal life[]
Birch was born in Montreal on September 28, 1992, to Wendy Sparks and Dervincent Birch, and has three brothers. He later attended high school at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School in Russell, Ontario. Birch grew up a fan of the Toronto Raptors, watching their games on television and even driving five hours with his father to Toronto to watch a live game at the Air Canada Centre.[31]
References[]
- ^ Khem Birch Per Game.
- ^ Khem Birch Stats.
- ^ "Khem Birch Stats | Basketball-Reference.com". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ "UNLV junior forward Khem Birch to enter 2014 NBA Draft". NBCSports.com. April 24, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
- ^ "Khem Birch Impressing in NBA Workouts". Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
- ^ HEAT Signs Khem Birch.
- ^ HEAT Waive Birch, Drew, Johnson and Jones.
- ^ Skyforce Announces Full Training Camp Roster.
- ^ "Thirteen NBA Veterans Headline Rosters for NBA Development League All-Star Game Presented by Kumho Tire". NBA.com. February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
- ^ Olympiacos tab Khem Birch - Jun 15, 2016.
- ^ "Khem Birch is a newcomer at Usak". Eurobasket.com. June 30, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
- ^ BROOKLYN NETS ANNOUNCE SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER AND SCHEDULE.
- ^ New Orleans Pelicans Summer League Player Profiles: Khem Birch.
- ^ Olympiacos tab Khem Birch.
- ^ Khem Birch signed with Olympiacos.
- ^ Olympiacos bulks up with Birch.
- ^ ΜΠΙΡΤΣ Κεμ | STOIXIMAN.GR Basket League 2016–17 (in Greek).
- ^ BIRCH, KHEM EuroLeague 2016-17 STATISTICS.
- ^ "Khem Birch signing with the Orlando Magic | Eurohoops". Eurohoops. July 10, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
- ^ "Magic Sign Khem Birch". NBA.com. July 27, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "Magic center Khem Birch raised his game in 2018-19". OrlandoSentinel.com. June 10, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
- ^ Denton, John (July 10, 2019). "Magic Re-Sign Khem Birch". NBA. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Powell scores 22 in Portland debut as Blazers topple Magic". ESPN.com. March 26, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Orlando Magic Waive Khem Birch". NBA.com. April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ Jamshidi, Soheil (April 10, 2021). "Raptors Sign Birch". NBA.com. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "Knicks recover after blown lead to beat Raptors 102-96". ESPN.com. April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Anunoby, Siakam rally Raptors past Spurs 117-112". ESPN.com. April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ "Siakam, Raptors beat Cavaliers 112-96". ESPN.com. April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "Jokic, Porter lead Nuggets past Raptors 121-111". ESPN.com. April 29, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ Khem BIRCH (CAN) participated in 2 FIBA / FIBA Zones events.
- ^ ""It was inevitable": Joining Raptors a dream come true for Canadian Birch". TSN. April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
External links[]
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- Euroleague.net profile
- Eurobasket.com Profile
- FIBA profile
- Greek League profile (in English)
- Greek League profile (in Greek)
- UNLV Runnin' Rebels bio
- 1992 births
- Living people
- 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup players
- Anglophone Quebec people
- Basketball players from Montreal
- Black Canadian basketball players
- Canadian expatriate basketball people in the United States
- Canadian men's basketball players
- Centers (basketball)
- Lakeland Magic players
- McDonald's High School All-Americans
- National Basketball Association players from Canada
- Olympiacos B.C. players
- Orlando Magic players
- People from Russell, Ontario
- Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball players
- Power forwards (basketball)
- Sioux Falls Skyforce players
- Toronto Raptors players
- Undrafted National Basketball Association players
- UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball players
- Uşak Sportif players