With the 2024 NBA Draft only five months away, Cameroonian center Ulrich Chomche has quickly emerged as a prospective NBA Lottery pick, according to the latest mock draft by Bleacher Report. Click through to read the analysis and projections that position Chomche as a rising star on the NBA horizon, dissecting the potential impact he could bring to the league.
Last Updated on
January 21, 2024
Ayo Biyibi
Staff Writer
As the 2023-24 NBA season steadily approaches the demanding second half of its extensive 82-game schedule, the NBA community's attention is shifting towards the future. Scouts, media outlets, and critics are now refining their draft boards and creating mock drafts for the anticipated 2024 NBA Draft.
As basketball continues to flourish across Africa through established leagues, institutions, and tournaments like the Basketball Africa League (The BAL), the Africa Women’s Basketball League (AWBL), the NBA Academy Africa, and AfroBasket, an escalating number of players born in Africa are increasingly garnering attention on NBA and WNBA draft boards and mock drafts.
One of these such names is Cameroon national player Ulrich Chomch, whose name is rising up several notable draft boards and mock drafts. Fresh off an impressive start to the 2023-24 season, the 18-year-old center has made waves, earning recognition as a projected lottery pick (Number 14) in Bleacher Report's January 2024 Mock Draft. His impressive performances in December, notably at the Sunrise Prep Showcase and G League Showcase for NBA Academy Africa, have solidified his rising status in the eyes of NBA experts.
Standing at an impressive 6-foot-11 with a wingspan extending to 7-foot-4, he boasts elite physical attributes characteristic of a top-tier forward/center (a "tweener" is you will). Beyond his imposing stature, this physically gifted prospect demonstrates exceptional mobility and explosive athleticism, placing him among the standout all-around hoopers in this year's draft class.
Chomche's potential as a defensive stalwart will make him an attractive preposition by scouts and general mangers across the NBA. His combination of mobility and skill will also equip him to effectively defend smaller players out on the perimeter during critical moments of a possession, making him a valuable asset for any team.
His ability to switch onto smaller opponents in crunch time situations situations is a coveted quality, and is an attribute that many NBA teams (especially those with lottery picks) would welcome with open arms on their rosters. Beyond his versatility, Chomche excels as a shot-blocker, showcasing impeccable timing, explosive verticality, and a keen utilisation of his considerable length. His shot-altering prowess is particularly evident in the painted area, where he disrupts many attempts with his defensive prowess.
In his relatively brief yet flourishing career, Chomche has accumulated significant playing time with the senior men's Cameroon national team during the 2023 FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament. He has also showcased his skills in the Basketball Africa League (The BAL), playing for Forces Armées et Police (FAP) and Rwanda Energy Group (REG) during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Closing out the previous year, Chomche also competed in the Africa Champions Clubs ROAD TO BAL tournament, representing NBA Academy Africa.
The Bafang native has attracted many fans during his formative years, one of which being New York-born Cameroonian Jokim Noah. During the 2023 BAL season, the Chicago Bulls icon had high praise for Chomche stating:
"Ulrich is our spirit right now. He's our fighting spirit and he's the hope. There's a lot of work that he's doing. I see his work ethic. I see the way that he runs the floor and I'm proud of him.
Although converted by several high-major NCAA programmes, such as the University of Arizona Wildcats, it is still not clear as to whether Chomche will enter this year's draft. That said, he may choose to capitalise on his trajectory in what many experts consider to be a "weak" draft.
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[Photo Credit: NBA/The BAL/FIBA]
