Khem Birch facts for kids
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| No. 92 – Fenerbahçe | |
|---|---|
| Centre | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 28, 1992 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| High school |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 233 lb (106 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
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| NBA Draft | 2014 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 2014–present |
| League | BSL EuroLeague |
| Career history | |
| 2014–2015 | Sioux Falls Skyforce |
| 2015–2016 | Uşak Sportif |
| 2016–2017 | Olympiacos |
| 2017–2021 | Orlando Magic |
| 2017–2018 | Lakeland Magic |
| 2021–2023 | Toronto Raptors |
| 2024 | Girona |
| 2024–present | Fenerbahçe |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Khem Xavier Birch (born September 28, 1992) is a professional basketball player from Canada. He plays as a centre for Fenerbahçe in Turkey, which competes in the BSL and the EuroLeague. Before becoming a pro, Khem played college basketball for the Pittsburgh Panthers and the UNLV Runnin' Rebels.
Contents
Early Basketball Journey
High School Years
Khem Birch started playing varsity basketball at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School in Russell, Ontario, Canada. Later, he moved to the United States to finish high school. He played at The Winchendon School in Winchendon, Massachusetts, and then at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
College Basketball Career
In 2011, Khem began his college basketball career at the University of Pittsburgh, playing for the Pittsburgh Panthers. In 2012, he transferred to the UNLV to play for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels.
During his junior year (2013–14 season) at UNLV, Khem was a strong player. He grabbed an average of 10.2 rebounds per game, which was the third best in the Mountain West Conference. He also blocked 3.8 shots per game, ranking second in the conference. Overall in college, he averaged 8.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. In April 2014, Khem decided to enter the 2014 NBA draft, which meant he would not play his final year of college basketball.
Professional Basketball Career
Starting in the NBA D-League (2014–2015)
Even though Khem was not chosen in the 2014 NBA draft, he still got a chance to play. He joined the Washington Wizards for the 2014 NBA Summer League. On September 14, 2014, he signed with the Miami Heat, an NBA team. However, the Heat later decided not to keep him.
On November 3, 2014, Khem joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce as an affiliate player. This means he was connected to the Miami Heat but played for their minor league team. He was chosen for the Futures All-Star team in the 2015 NBA Development League All-Star Game. During the 2014–15 season, he averaged 11.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. He also showed his defensive skills with 1.8 blocks and 0.7 steals per game.
Playing in Turkey and Greece (2015–2017)
After his time in the NBA D-League, Khem moved to Europe. In June 2015, he signed with Uşak Sportif in Turkey, playing in the Turkish Super League (BSL). He also played in the NBA Summer League for the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans. In the 2015–16 Turkish Super League season, he averaged 10.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.
In June 2016, Khem signed a two-year contract with Olympiacos, a top team in Greece. With Olympiacos, he played in the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague, a major European competition. He averaged 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in the EuroLeague during the 2016–17 season. In July 2017, Khem decided to leave Olympiacos to try for the NBA again.
Time with the Orlando Magic (2017–2021)
On July 27, 2017, Khem Birch signed with the Orlando Magic in the NBA. He played for the Magic for several seasons. On March 14, 2019, he had a great game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. This is called a "double-double" because he reached double digits in two different stats.
He re-signed with the Magic in July 2019. On March 26, 2021, Khem had his best game with the Magic, scoring 14 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and getting four steals against the Portland Trail Blazers. He was waived by the Magic in April 2021.
Joining the Toronto Raptors (2021–2023)
Shortly after leaving the Magic, Khem signed with the Toronto Raptors on April 10, 2021. He quickly made an impact. Just three days later, he scored 14 points against the San Antonio Spurs. On April 29, he set a new career-high by scoring 20 points against the Denver Nuggets. He also made two three-pointers in that game, which was a career best for him.
In August 2021, Khem re-signed with the Raptors for three more years. On February 9, 2023, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs. However, he did not play any games for the Spurs and was waived before the next season started.
Return to Europe (2024–Present)
In February 2024, Khem signed with Bàsquet Girona in Spain, playing in the Spanish Liga ACB. Then, on September 11, 2024, he signed a one-year deal with Fenerbahçe, a strong team in Turkey.
Playing for Canada
Khem Birch has proudly represented his home country, Canada, in basketball. He played for Canada's junior national teams. With the Under-18 junior national team, he won a bronze medal at the 2010 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship.
He is also a key member of the senior Canadian national team. He played in the 2016 Manila FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Khem also represented Canada at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China. He was chosen to be on Canada's team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Personal Life
Khem Birch has three brothers. He grew up as a big fan of the Toronto Raptors, watching their games on TV. He even drove five hours with his father to Toronto to watch a live game. Khem got married in 2018 and has a daughter born in 2019.
See also
In Spanish: Khem Birch para niños
