Ulrich Chomche
 Chomche in 2023 | |
| No. 22 – Toronto Raptors | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 30 December 2005 Bafang, Cameroon |
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | NBA Academy Africa (Saly, Senegal) |
| NBA draft | 2024: 2nd round, 57th overall pick |
| Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies | |
| Playing career | 2022–present |
| Career history | |
| 2022 | FAP |
| 2023 | REG |
| 2024–present | Toronto Raptors |
| 2024–present | →Raptors 905 |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
Ulrich Kamka Chomche (born 30 December 2005) is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. 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
[edit]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
[edit]FAP (2022)
[edit]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)
[edit]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] He was eventually left off of the roster to prepare for the 2024 NBA draft.[6]
Toronto Raptors / Raptors 905 (2024–present)
[edit]On 15 April 2024, Chomche declared for the 2024 NBA draft.[7] He was the youngest player in the draft.[8]
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.[9] 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 former BAL player to be selected.[10] On 10 July, he signed a two-way contract with the Raptors.[11]
National team career
[edit]In February 2023, Chomche was first selected for the Cameroon senior national team for the 2023 World Cup qualifiers.[12] He made his debut on 24 February 2023 in Alexandria, playing eight minutes in an 85–56 win over DR Congo.[13][14]
Player profile
[edit]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.[8]
Career statistics
[edit]| 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
[edit]| 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 |
| 2022-23 | NAA QF | 3 | 3 | 22.3 | .188 | .111 | .300 | 6.7 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 3.3 |
| 2023-24 | NAA QF | 3 | 3 | 30.1 | .424 | .381 | .750 | 9.0 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 13.0 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Cameroon's best prospect since Embiid? Ulrich Chomche is Him". ESPN.com. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Egyptian Elalfy and Darlan of CAF named BWB Africa camp MVPs". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Ulurich Chomche Player Profile, REG - RealGM". RealGm.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Cameroon: FAP Basketballer Ulrich Chomche Writing His Story One Step At A Time - PAN AFRICAN VISIONS". PanAfricanVisions.com. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Top NBA Draft prospects land on new BAL teams". ESPN.com. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "NBA Draft prep lures Chomche away from BAL". ESPN.com. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ "NBA Academy Africa center Ulrich Chomche declares for 2024 NBA draft". Yahoo Sports. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ a b "NBA 2024 Draft Prospects | Ulrich Chomche | NBA.com". NBA.com. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ "Raptors select Ulrich Chomche 57th overall after trade with Timberwolves". SportsNet.ca. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "Historic NBA Draft night for Cameroon's Ulrich Chomche, Missi". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ "RAPTORS SIGN CHOMCHE TO TWO-WAY CONTRACT". NBA.com. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
- ^ "Final rosters confirmed ahead of Window 6 of the 2023 African Qualifiers". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Cameroon v Congo DR boxscore - FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers - 24 February". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 27 March 2023.