Ulrich Chomche NBA Draft Analysis
Detailing the Cameroonian big man's characteristics and outlook following comprehensive film review and source interviews.
Ulrich Chomche has masterfully used the mystery surrounding him to his favor. He’s been on NBA scouts’ radars for years since joining NBA Academy Africa due to his measurements and upside, but a dearth of game film and questions about relevant competition left him with one of the wider draft ranges in this class. While he is a project, there’s a lot to like with the amount of two-way versatility he’s shown to date.
Physical
According to the NBA Draft Combine’s official measurements, Chomche stands 6’10.25” without shoes and boasts a 7’4” wingspan, with 9.25”-long and 10.25”-wide hands. A few additional testing outcomes from the combine include:
Top four in shuttle run time out of all prospects (2.84 seconds)
Second fastest three quarter sprint of all 16 Center prospects (3.10 seconds)
Seventh highest standing (29”) and max (35.5”) vertical leap of all Center prospects
Third slowest lane agility time of all Center prospects (11.74 seconds)
Mental
Ulrich Chomche is not afraid to try new things. Sources close to the player mentioned he has a “crazy mentality” and as of his last national team stint, sometimes doesn’t recognize the things he ‘shouldn’t’ be attempting on the basketball court. That has played to Chomche’s favor as it’s given evaluators the chance to see him flash different parts of his game.
He’s worked hard to improve his English in a short time and does not lack the confidence to still clearly express himself.
Chomche is grateful and looks forward to being a beacon to represent his country, continent and NBA Academy Africa.
OFFENSE
Passing instincts
We’re deliberately starting here as it’s one of Chomche’s most underrated skills that should translate to the NBA.
Chomche has a knack for making reads out of horns as well as the high post and short roll. One of his pet passes is feeding backdoor cutters with an on-target bounce pass.
He can be an early initiator due to quick hit-ahead and long outlet passes after rebounds, forced turnovers and made baskets. At times, he’s also able to push it all the way into the frontcourt before making a passing read.
Remember the boldness to try new things mentioned before? It shows the most in his passing as he routinely attempts high-level assists even if the recipient may not always be ready for it.
Rim-running
Chomche uses his agility to get down the court in a hurry, outrunning opponents and putting himself in easy scoring positions. He’ll often take a peek at the defense before varying his speed accordingly.
Shooting
Chomche has visibly worked on his shooting form to make it more fluid, and the confidence he displays in other areas bleeds into this one too. He’s not bashful about shooting, at times taking ill-advised attempts. Despite the immense progress he’s shown, he’s still not consistent enough as a shooter to be relied upon.
When left open, Chomche is a viable spot-up threat, able to knock them down usually from the corners and wings.
As a trailer, he most often finds shots from the top of the key.
He can also space off the pick and pop.
Driving
The threat of Chomche’s shot opens up driving lanes for him to take advantage of. He finishes through them and passes to his post partner when it makes sense.
Post play
Chomche rounds out his offensive palate with some post work. He tends to prefer facing up and hitting his defender with jabs, pump fakes or his version of a Dream Shake before a post fade or getting all the way to the rim.
Screening
Another underrated skill in general is screening. Chomche mixes it up between slipping and flattening defenders, giving himself good opportunities for screen assists.
DEFENSE
Chomche was originally billed as mainly a defensive player and that still rings true today, as it comes second nature to him.
Rim protection
Blocking shots is where Chomche first made his name and it’s not hard to see why. Whether it’s in transition or the halfcourt, on-ball or help side, he’s never fully out of the play and relishes the opportunity to send shots away.
PnR scheme versatility
Chomche has shown the ability to succeed in the most common pick and roll schemes. He picks up defensive concepts and spacing quickly, whether he’s in drop, hedging or switching.
Perimeter switchability
He’s no liability when a switch occurs, and his footspeed and length allow him to keep guys in front or recover in time to still get a stop.
Effort/Intangibles
There isn’t a second on the court where Chomche isn’t going 100% — he simply does not give up on a play. It’s a dangerous trait for the opposition when paired with his above average defensive instincts.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
As a project, Chomche can afford to improve all facets of his game. He sometimes can look like a fish out of water and there are notable feel questions especially on offense. The following should likely be priorities in his development.
Transition decisions
Chomche can get out of control in transition at times due to being overzealous with his handle and initiation skill. Surrounded by more elite guards, he’ll have less opportunities for this, but still may need to be coached out.
Shot selection
He has some very bad three-point misses when he is rushing his shot or isn’t completely open. He has a long way to go to gain consistency but discerning the best attempts without damaging his confidence is a process he needs to hone to see success.
Rebounding
Chomche is not as productive of a rebounder as you’d hope at his measurements and archetype. In the Road to BAL he had good rebounding numbers of 9.0 RPG, but did not have similar success against top flight competition at the Nike Hoop Summit or in the combine scrimmages. With the energy he expends on defense and everywhere else, it shouldn’t be too difficult to consistently do the same on the glass.
OUTLOOK
Chomche gives maximum effort on both sides of the ball, whether he’s sprinting into a screen or getting off the ground quickly for blocks. That trait alone puts him ahead of schedule. He has listed Evan Mobley, Rudy Gobert and Serge Ibaka among others as players he models his game after.
Chomche’s attention to detail, advanced understanding and love for doing the little things will take him far wherever he lands. His landing spot may end up being earlier than anticipated (late-first to late-second round) as there have been a few indications that he received a draft promise, though we have not confirmed one:
Declaring for the draft directly after only an average Nike Hoop Summit performance
Signing with Klutch, who is not known for backtracking
His demeanor and responses when answering questions about staying in the draft
Overall, Chomche’s intangibles and defensive instincts give him a very high floor. His potential ceiling is extremely high as a rim runner and potential hub as well. In the right situation, he could flourish into a top defender and viable offensive player in the league.
Been waiting for this one!!🙏🏼