Fenerbahce Beko announces the transfer! The expected star has arrived...

Fenerbahce officially announced the signing of 29-year-old forward Chris Silva, who last played for AEK, on a 1+1 year contract.

"Fenerbahçe Beko Men's Basketball Team has signed Gabonese center Chris Silva (1996 - 2.03 - P), who last played for AEK, for 1+1 year. Chris Silva, who stands out with his high energy, rebounding instinct, defense under the basket and block threat in all the teams he plays for, will sweat for the success of our Fenerbahçe Beko Men's Basketball Team.We wish this agreement to be beneficial for our Club and Chris Silva, and we hope that our player will have many more successes under our striped jersey."

Who is Chris Silva?

Born on September 19, 1996 in Libreville, Gabon, Chris Silva was sent to the United States for his education by his father, who played for the Gabon Men's National Team, when he was 15 years old. Silva started his basketball career in the US at Roselle High School, where he was part of the team that won the state championship as a senior.

After high school, he signed a contract with the South Carolina Gamecocks. In 2017, he played in the Final Four for the Gamecocks, starting in the starting lineup in all 37 games. In 2018, he had three major accomplishments in the Southeastern Conference. He won the Co-Defensive Player of the Year award, was named to the first team in the Southeastern Conference and was named to the defensive team of the year. In his college career, Chris Silva contributed blocks, rebounds and energy.

After signing a two-way contract with the Miami Heat for the 2019-20 season, the Gabonese center played in the 2020 NBA Finals for the Miami Heat against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Miami Heat (2019-21), Sacramento Kings (2021), Iowa Wolves (2021), Minnesota Timberwolves (2021), Miami Heat (2021-22), Iowa Wolves (2022), College Park Skyhawks (2022-23), Dallas Mavericks (2023), College Park Skyhawks (2023-24), Piratas de Quebradillas (Puerto Rico/2024), Mets de Guaynabo (Puerto Rico/2024), Bnei Herzliya (Israel/2024-25), AEK (2025).

In the summer of 2025, Chris Silva signed for Greek team AEK and was named player of the week three times. In the 2025-26 season, the Gabonese played five Basketball Champions League games for AEK, averaging 14.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 21 efficiency points. In international tournaments, Chris Silva played for the Gabonese National Team, averaging 25.0 points, 14.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 29.3 efficiency points in three games in the FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers.

Chris Silva was recently named the most valuable player of the Basketball Champions League Group Stage in the 2025-26 season.