Aris has officially signed its second foreign player for the new season. Following J.J. Liddell, Vassilis Spanoulis’s team has also signed Kem Birch, who is coming off a very “full” and productive two-year stint with Fenerbahçe, under the guidance of Vasilis Spanoulis.

The Canadian center is returning to the Greek league, following his stint with Olympiacos during the 2016–17 season, when he reached the EuroLeague final as a teammate of “Kill Bill” on the Piraeus-based team. He is now moving to Thessaloniki to play under the coach’s guidance and strengthen the team’s roster.

Here is the full announcement from the “yellow-and-blacks”: “ARIS Betsson Basketball Club announces the signing of Khem Birch through 2028. 

Canadian Khem Birch was born on September 28, 1992, and stands 2.06m tall, playing the center position. 

The new ARIS Betsson player began his college career in 2011 at the University of Pittsburgh. In 2012, he “moved” to UNLV and the Runnin’ Rebels, where in his first year he was among the leaders in his conference in rebounds (10.2) and blocks (3.8). 

In 2014, after a brief stint with the Miami Heat, he played for their affiliate, Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 11.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. 

In 2015, he made his first trip across the Atlantic to play for the Turkish team Usak Sportif, where he averaged 10.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks.

In 2016–17, he played for Olympiacos alongside his current coach, Vassilis Spanoulis, averaging 7.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1 block in the EuroLeague. In the summer of 2017, he terminated his contract to play in the NBA.

From 2017 to 2021, Birtch played for the Orlando Magic. Toward the end of the 2020–21 season, he signed with the Toronto Raptors, where he averaged 11.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 19 games. He remained with the Raptors until 2023.

In 2024, he returned to Europe to play for Girona, and in 2024, he signed with Fenerbahçe. With the Turkish team, he won the EuroLeague in 2025, two domestic doubles in 2025 and 2026, a Super Cup in 2025, and in 2025 he was named MVP of the Turkish playoff finals.”

*photo source: euroleaguebasketball.net