With the 2025 NBA Draft just under six weeks away, a new crop of youngsters is set to enter the league. But ahead of draft night, one relatively unknown Toronto Raptors center still holds the distinction of being the NBA’s youngest active player.
Ulrich Chomche, born Dec. 30, 2005, in Bafang, Cameroon, is just 19 years and 136 days old as of Thursday. Still raw, the 6-foot-11, 235-pound defensive-minded big man is viewed as a high-upside prospect for the rebuilding Raptors.
Getting to Know Ulrich Chomche, the NBA’s Youngest Active Player
Chomche was selected No. 57 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA Draft and was acquired by the Toronto Raptors on draft night. At just 18 years old, he became the first NBA Academy Africa graduate and former Basketball Africa League player to be drafted into the NBA.
On July 10, 2024, Chomche signed a two-way contract with Toronto, setting him up to split his rookie season between the Raptors and their G League affiliate, Raptors 905.
Entering the league, Chomche was viewed as an athletic, mobile center with big upside as a rim-runner, shot-blocker, and interior defender. But his raw offensive game, developing basketball IQ, and limited experience against elite competition gave him a “project” label.
How Did Chomche Fare in His Rookie Season?
During his rookie year, Chomche saw limited minutes on Toronto’s main roster and made a minimal impact. Across seven appearances, he averaged 0.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 0.1 blocks, shooting 40% in just 4.6 minutes per game.
However, he showed flashes of his potential in the G League. Over 19 games with Raptors 905, Chomche posted averages of 8.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.8 blocks per game, shooting 54.9% in 24.2 minutes.
Unfortunately, his rookie campaign ended early after he suffered a partial proximal MCL tear in his right knee in February.
Chomche Expected to Be Ready for 2025 NBA Summer League
Raptors coach Darko Rajaković shared encouraging news last month, confirming that Chomche is expected to play in July’s Las Vegas NBA Summer League.
“He’s doing great. He did a full recovery,” Rajaković said. “He’s cleared to start doing contact and everything else.”
Though Chomche was a late second-round pick, Rajaković emphasized that the Raptors see him as part of their long-term plans.
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“We saw in the workouts and the games he played with 905 that he made huge strides this year,” Rajaković said. “Really proud of the work he was putting in. And we’re going to continue to develop him as a very young player that I think has a lot of potential and a lot of growth.”
As the Raptors enter another rebuilding year, Chomche could be a name to watch heading into the 2025–26 NBA season as he looks to carve out a role in Toronto’s frontcourt rotation.
