Ulrich Chomche

Cameroonian basketball player (born 2005)

Ulrich Chomche
Chomche in 2023
Toronto Raptors
PositionCenter / power forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2005-12-30) 30 December 2005 (age 18)
Bafang, Cameroon
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight232 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High schoolNBA Academy Africa
(Saly, Senegal)
NBA draft2024: 2nd round, 57th overall pick
Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies
Playing career2022–present
Career history
2022→FAP
2023→REG
Career highlights and awards
  • Nike Hoop Summit (2024)

Ulrich Kamka Chomche (born 30 December 2005) is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). At 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), he plays the center and power forward positions.

Graduated from the NBA Academy Africa, Chomche is the first former Basketball Africa League (BAL) player to be drafted into the NBA. He has been labeled by ESPN as the best Cameroonian prospect of his generation, and the best since Joel Embiid.[1]

Early life

Chomche was born in Bafang, in the West Province of Cameroon, and picked up basketball at age 11 due to peer pressure because he was the tallest kid in his neighborhood. One year later, he joined the NBA Academy Africa in Saly, Senegal and started studying English.[1] Chomche played at the 2022 Basketball Without Borders camp in Cairo and was named the Defensive MVP among boys at the camp.[1][2]

Professional career

FAP (2022)

Chomche made his debut in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) at age 16 in 2022, playing for Cameroonian club FAP under the BAL Elevate program. This program allocated players from the NBA Academy Africa to professional teams. He averaged 2.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game,[3] and was part of FAP's run to fourth place.[4] On 16 April, he grabbed a career-high seven rebounds against Petro de Luanda.[4]

REG (2023)

The next year, in 2023, Chomche was drafted by the Rwandan team REG to play in his second consecutive BAL season. During the tournament, he received praise from former NBA player Joakim Noah.[1]

In March 2024, Chomche was drafted by Rwandan club APR for the 2024 BAL season.[5]

NBA

On 15 April 2024, Chomche declared for the 2024 NBA draft.[6] He was the youngest player in the draft.[7]

Toronto Raptors (2024–present)

On 27 June 2024, Chomche was selected with the 57th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA Draft, however, immediately on draft night, he was traded to the Toronto Raptors.[8] He became the first NBA Academy Africa prospect to be drafted, as well as the first player to be drafted directly out of any NBA Academy. He is also the first BAL player to be selected.[9]

National team career

In February 2023, Chomche was first selected for theCameroon senior national team for the 2023 World Cup qualifiers.[10] He made his debut on 24 February 2023 in Alexandria, playing eight minutes in an 85–56 win over DR Congo.[11][12]

Player profile

Standing at 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) with a 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) wingspan, Chomche is best at the defensive end of the court and has been praised for his defensive and shot blocking abilities. His offensive game was described to need a lot of work ahead of the 2024 NBA draft.[7]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

BAL

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2022 FAP 7 1 11.3 .304 .200 – 3.7 .1 .3 1.6 2.1
2023 REG 6 0 19.0 .345 .125 .545 4.8 .7 1.0 1.0 4.5

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Cameroon's best prospect since Embiid? Ulrich Chomche is Him". ESPN.com. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Egyptian Elalfy and Darlan of CAF named BWB Africa camp MVPs". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Ulurich Chomche Player Profile, REG - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Cameroon: FAP Basketballer Ulrich Chomche Writing His Story One Step At A Time - PAN AFRICAN VISIONS". 15 August 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Top NBA Draft prospects land on new BAL teams". ESPN.com. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  6. ^ "NBA Academy Africa center Ulrich Chomche declares for 2024 NBA draft". Yahoo Sports. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  7. ^ a b "NBA 2024 Draft Prospects | Ulrich Chomche | NBA.com". www.nba.com. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Raptors select Ulrich Chomche 57th overall after trade with Timberwolves". SportsNet. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Historic NBA Draft night for Cameroon's Ulrich Chomche, Missi". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Final rosters confirmed ahead of Window 6 of the 2023 African Qualifiers". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Cameroon v Congo DR boxscore - FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers - 24 February". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  12. ^ "FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
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