Khem Birch

Khem Birch is a Canadian professional basketball player for Bàsquet Girona in the Spanish Liga ACB. He also used to play in the National Basketball Association for the Orlando Magic and the Toronto Raptors.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Khem Xavier Birch was born on September 28, 1992, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He stands 206 cm tall and his weight is listed at 105 kg. Birch plays as a right-handed player and is a center.

He has three brothers and grew up a fan of the Raptors.

High School and College Career

Birch played high school basketball at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School in Russell, Ontario. He later transferred to the Winchendon School in Winchendon, Massachusetts, and then to Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

In college, Birch began his career at the University of Pittsburgh in 2011–12. He then transferred to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he played for the Runnin' Rebels from 2012 to 2014.

In 2011, he was named a McDonald’s All-American. In 2013 and 2014, he was named the MWC Defensive Player of the Year.

Professional Career

After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft, Birch joined the Miami Heat for the 2014 NBA Summer League. He signed with the Heat in September 2014 but was waived before the start of the regular season. Birch then played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League.

From 2015 to 2017, Birch played overseas in Turkey for Uşak Sportif and in Greece for Olympiacos. With Olympiacos in 2016–17, Birch helped the team reach the EuroLeague Final Four.

In July 2017, Birch signed with the Orlando Magic. He played four seasons with the Magic from 2017 to 2021, primarily as a backup center.

Birch was waived by the Magic in April 2021 and signed with his hometown Toronto Raptors for the remainder of the season. He re-signed with the Raptors on a three-year contract in August 2021. In February 2023, Birch was traded to the San Antonio Spurs but did not appear in any games for them before being waived.

In February 2024, Birch signed with Bàsquet Girona of the Spanish Liga ACB, where he currently plays.

Career Highlights

• 2017 - All-Greek League Defensive Team
• 2016 - BSL All-Star
• 2015 - NBA D-League All-Rookie First Team
• 2015 - NBA D-League All-Defensive First Team
• 2015 - NBA D-League All-Star
• 2013, 2014 - MWC Defensive Player of the Year
• 2014 - Second-team All-MWC
• 2013, 2014 - MWC All-Defensive Team
• 2011 - McDonald's All-American