4 months ago
22
Ulrich Chomche, a standout basketball talent hailing from Cameroon, has achieved a major milestone in his career.
Representing NBA Academy Africa, located in Saly, Senegal, Chomche made history by being selected 57th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA Draft presented by State Farm.
Also, Adem Bona, a Nigerian centre, was taken 41st by the Philadelphia 76ers and figures to back up Cameroonian star big man Joel Embiid.
“It means everything to me to be standing here right now,” Bona said.
PUNCH Online reports that NBA Academy Africa is part of the NBA’s global initiative to develop top young talent and provide a pathway to professional basketball.
The academy offers a holistic approach to player development, including on-court skills, strength and conditioning, and life skills training.
It serves male and female players from across Africa, aiming to help them reach their full potential both on and off the court.
This groundbreaking achievement marks the first instance of an NBA Academy Africa prospect being drafted directly into the NBA, setting a precedent across all three of the league’s NBA Academies situated in Senegal, Mexico, and Australia, SportsAfricana reports.
Chomche’s journey to the NBA includes notable participation in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), where he notably showcased his exceptional skills.
He joins a distinguished group of Cameroonian players who have made their mark in the NBA, including Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje, Luc Mbah a Moute, Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam, Christian Koloko, and Yves Missi.
Notably, this draft also featured two players from Cameroon being selected—a first for the country.
– Chomche’s basketball journey –
Chomche’s basketball journey began when he joined NBA Academy Africa in 2019 at the age of 14. During his time at the academy, he competed in various high-profile international events, including NBA Academy exhibition games, the Tarkanian Classic, NBA Academy Games, and Basketball Without Borders (BWB) camps.
Chomche
Additionally, he represented Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and Cameroon’s Forces Armées et Police (FAP) in the BAL. His impressive performance caught the attention of scouts, leading to his historic draft selection.
Furthermore, Chomche proudly represented Cameroon’s national team in the 2023 FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament and played for the World Team at the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon.
Ulrich Chomche’s journey exemplifies the impact of NBA Academy Africa in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for young players across the continent. His success serves as an inspiration to aspiring basketball stars in Africa and beyond.
– LeBron James, son makes history –
Meanwhile, Bronny James, the 19-year-old son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, was selected 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in Thursday’s second round of the NBA Draft.
Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James, the 39-year-old Lakers playmaker who is a four-time NBA champion, has said he would like to play alongside his son next season – in what would be the first father-son combination in NBA history.
LeBron James, son | AFPJames, a guard for the University of Southern California, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Trojans last season after a stellar high school career and also impressed scouts at an NBA combine.
At a practice session last July, USC freshman James collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest caused by a congenital heart defect.
The teenager was released from the hospital a few days later and doctors approved him playing both in US college basketball and, last month, in the NBA.
The younger James is seen as a top defensive prospect with elite athletic skills and strong instincts for the game but might need time to develop fully as an NBA player.
LeBron James has until Saturday to opt into the final year of his Lakers contract or become a free agent, which would not stop him from re-signing a new Lakers deal.
ESPN reported that agent Rich Paul was warning teams ahead of the Lakers in the picking order that Bronny James would play in Australia rather than deal with some clubs.
The Lakers owned the fourth-to-last NBA Draft selection and there was concern other clubs might use a higher pick on James, to see if they could swing a trade deal with the Lakers for James or the pick.
The Phoenix Suns, who didn’t own a second-round pick due to a free agency tampering violation, were the only team other than the Lakers to have a workout with Bronny James ahead of the draft.
– ‘Few others in 2024 NBA list’ –
France’s Zaccharie Risacher was taken on Wednesday with the top overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks.
International prospects taken early in the second round included 19-year-old Australian swingman Johnny Furphy, selected 35th by San Antonio but reportedly being traded to Indiana, and 20-year-old Spanish guard Juan Nunez, a passing maestro for Germany’s Ulm taken 36th by Indiana.
Swedish forward Bobi Klintman was taken 37th by Minnesota but was expected to be traded to Detroit. He averaged 9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds a game for the Cairns Taipans of the Australian league last season.
Belgian guard Ajay Mitchell went 38th to New York but was expected to be traded to Oklahoma City.
Serbian forward Nikola Djurisic was taken by Miami at 43rd but expected to be sent to Atlanta while Swedish guard Pelle Larsson went 44th to Houston.
French forward Melvin Ajinca, who turned 20 on Monday, went to New York with the 51st selection. He averaged 9.7 points in the French league last season.
Quinten Post, a 7-foot (2.13m) Dutch centre, went 52nd to Golden State but was expected to be traded to Oklahoma City.
Chomche, an 18-year-old forward from Cameroon, went to Memphis with the 57th pick and Dallas took German center Ariel Hukporti with the 58th and last pick.
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