Chris Birch: A Global Basketball Journey
From the developmental leagues of North America to the elite arenas of Europe, Chris Birch has carved out a versatile professional career. Known for his rebounding and defensive presence, Birch has navigated a path that spans the NBA, the Turkish Super League, the Greek Basket League, and the prestigious EuroLeague.
Key Facts
- NBA Experience: Played for the Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors.
- European Success: Won a EuroLeague championship with Fenerbahçe and earned Turkish League Finals MVP (2024-25).
- Career High: Scored 20 points in a single game during his tenure with the Toronto Raptors.
- Global Reach: Has played professionally in the United States, Turkey, Greece, and Spain.
Early Professional Steps and the D-League
After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft, Birch began his professional pursuit with the Washington Wizards during the 2014 NBA Summer League. He signed his first NBA contract with the Miami Heat on September 14, 2014, though he was waived on October 25 of the same year.
Birch then transitioned to the NBA D-League (the NBA's official minor league), joining the Sioux Falls Skyforce as an affiliate player on November 3, 2014. His impact was immediate; he was named to the Futures All-Star team for the 2015 NBA D-League All-Star Game. Over 52 games, he averaged 11.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.2 assists, and 0.7 steals per game.
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Establishing a Presence in Europe
In June 2015, Birch moved his career to Turkey, signing with Uşak Sportif of the Turkish Super League (BSL). While continuing to test the NBA waters via summer leagues with the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans, he spent the 2015–16 season in Turkey, averaging 10.5 points and 9.1 rebounds over 32 games.
Success with Olympiacos
Birch's profile rose significantly on June 14, 2016, when he signed a two-year contract worth €1.1 million net income with the Greek champions, Olympiacos. During the 2016–17 season, he contributed to both the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague (the top-tier European professional basketball competition), helping the team reach the 2017 EuroLeague Final Four.
In the EuroLeague, he averaged 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds across 37 games, while his Greek league stats stood at 5.7 points and 5.0 rebounds over 33 games. Seeking a return to the NBA, Birch opted out of his contract on July 10, 2017.
The NBA Years: Orlando and Toronto
Birch officially returned to the NBA on July 27, 2017, signing with the Orlando Magic. He spent several seasons in Orlando, notably recording a double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds) against the Cleveland Cavaliers in March 2019. He re-signed with the Magic on a two-year deal in July 2019 and achieved a career-best performance on March 26, 2021, recording 14 points, 15 rebounds, four steals, and four assists against the Portland Trail Blazers before being waived on April 8, 2021.
Almost immediately, Birch joined the Toronto Raptors on April 10, 2021. His time in Toronto was marked by several high-scoring performances, including a career-high 20 points and two three-pointers against the Denver Nuggets on April 29, 2021. In August 2021, he signed a three-year extension worth over $20 million.
His NBA tenure concluded after he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on February 9, 2023, in exchange for Jakob Poeltl. Birch did not appear in a game for the Spurs and was waived on October 19, 2023.
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Return to Europe and Championship Glory
After a brief stint with Bàsquet Girona in the Spanish Liga ACB starting February 5, 2024, Birch returned to Turkey on September 11, 2024, signing with Fenerbahçe. This move proved highly successful; Birch helped Fenerbahçe secure their second EuroLeague championship in Abu Dhabi on May 25, 2025.
Birch's dominance continued in the 2024–25 Basketbol Süper Ligi Finals against Beşiktaş Fibabanka. He led his team to victory in Game 1 (15 points, 6 rebounds) and Game 2 (18 points, 6 rebounds), and contributed 12 points and 8 rebounds in Game 4. These performances earned him the Turkish League Finals MVP award. He re-signed with Fenerbahçe for another year on August 3, 2025.
Most recently, on June 24, 2026, Birch signed a two-year contract with Aris Thessaloniki, competing in the Greek Basketball League (GBL) and the EuroCup.
Career Statistics Summary
| Team/League | Key Stats (Avg/Game) | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League) | 11.1 PTS, 9.5 REB | Futures All-Star (2015) |
| Uşak Sportif (BSL) | 10.5 PTS, 9.1 REB | Established European presence |
| Olympiacos (EuroLeague) | 7.3 PTS, 5.6 REB | 2017 EuroLeague Final Four |
| Toronto Raptors (NBA) | Career High: 20 PTS | Multi-year $20M+ contract |
| Fenerbahçe (BSL/EuroLeague) | Finals MVP (24-25) | EuroLeague Champion (2025) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chris Birch's career-high scoring game?
Chris Birch scored a career-high 20 points during his time with the Toronto Raptors in a game against the Denver Nuggets on April 29, 2021.
Which NBA teams has Chris Birch played for?
Birch played for the Orlando Magic and the Toronto Raptors. He was also briefly on the roster of the Miami Heat and was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, though he did not play for the latter.
What major awards has Birch won in Europe?
Birch won the Turkish League Finals MVP award for the 2024-25 season and helped Fenerbahçe win the EuroLeague championship in 2025.
How long did Birch play for the Toronto Raptors?
Birch signed with the Raptors on April 10, 2021, and remained with the team until he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on February 9, 2023.
Where is Chris Birch currently playing?
As of June 24, 2026, Chris Birch has signed a two-year contract with Aris Thessaloniki in the Greek Basketball League and the EuroCup.