Ulrich Chomche from NBA Academy Africa was selected 57th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA Draft presented by State Farm.
Chomche’s selection marks several historic firsts: he is the first NBA Academy Africa prospect to be drafted into the NBA, and the first player across all three of the league’s NBA Academies (located in Senegal, Mexico, and Australia) to be drafted directly out of an NBA Academy.
Additionally, he is the first player to be drafted after participating in the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Chomche joins an elite group of Cameroonian players who have made their mark in the NBA. He is the seventh player from Cameroon to be drafted, following in the footsteps of notable figures such as former NBA player and BAL Head of League Operations Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje, former NBA player Luc Mbah a Moute, Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, Indiana Pacers’ Pascal Siakam, Christian Koloko, and Yves Missi, who was also selected in this year’s draft, making it the first time two players from Cameroon were selected in the same NBA Draft.
Chomche joined NBA Academy Africa in 2019 at the age of 14. During his time at the academy, he participated in numerous high-profile international competitions and showcases, including NBA Academy exhibition games at the NBA G League Showcase (2021-23), The Tarkanian Classic (2021-23), NBA Academy Games (2022-23), Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global Camp (2023), and BWB Africa (2022).
As part of the BAL Elevate program, Chomche represented Rwanda Energy Group (REG) in 2023 and Cameroon’s Forces Armées et Police (FAP) in 2022.
His international experience also includes playing for Cameroon’s national team in the 2023 FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament and representing the World Team at the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon, last April.
Chomche’s journey from NBA Academy Africa to the NBA Draft is a testament to the growing influence of African basketball on the global stage.
His historic selection underscores the potential of NBA Academy programs to develop top-tier talent and the increasing prominence of African players in professional basketball.
