Cameroonian basketball player
Ulrich Kamka Chomche (born 30 December 2005) is a Cameroonian professional basketball player. At 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), he plays the center and power forward positions. A member of the NBA Academy Africa, Chomche 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, a place 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
Chomche made his debut in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) at age 16 in 2022, as he played 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 the fourth place.[4] On 16 April, he grabbed a career-high seven rebounds against Petro de Luanda.[4]
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]
On 15 April 2024, Chomche declared for the 2024 NBA draft.[6]
National team career
In February 2023, Chomche was first selected for Cameroon senior national team for the 2023 World Cup qualifiers.[7] He made his debut on 24 February 2023 in Alexandria, playing eight minutes in the 85–56 win over DR Congo.[8][9]
Career statistics
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