Raptors Share Rave Reviews as Rookie Center Shows a Glimpse of his Potential

Late within the fourth quarter of a blowout, Toronto Raptors rookie Ulrich Chomche grabbed a rebound and took off.

The 6-foot-11 heart, who hasn’t seen a lot NBA motion this season, dribbled up the courtroom with regular confidence. Simply previous half courtroom, he paused, scanned the protection, and delivered a exact bounce cross to AJ Lawson reducing via the lane. The cross cut up two defenders, and Lawson completed with an and-one layup because the Raptors bench erupted.

For Chomche, the No. 57 decide in final 12 months’s draft, it was a uncommon alternative to point out progress—a quick however encouraging glimpse of his potential.

The Raptors have taken a cautious method with Chomche’s improvement this season. He’s appeared in simply six NBA video games, logging a complete of 20 minutes. Whereas Toronto’s different rookies have every had moments to showcase their promise, Chomche has largely flown beneath the radar, spending most of his time growing within the G League.

There, the outcomes have been combined.

In 23 appearances for the Raptors 905, Chomche is averaging 6.7 factors, 7.3 rebounds, and three blocks per sport whereas taking pictures 52.7% from the ground. At instances, he has appeared uncooked and overwhelmed, adjusting not solely to the skilled degree but in addition to a brand new nation and way of life. Nonetheless, there have been flashes—significantly on the defensive finish—that counsel he has the instruments to develop into a contributing participant sooner or later.

“I believe there may be lots of progress. He is working actually exhausting,” Raptors coach Darko Rajaković stated Tuesday. “You’ll be able to even discover that his physique is altering with all the standard elevate that he is getting in.”

One participant who has taken discover is Toronto’s backup level guard Davion Mitchell, who has develop into a daily attendee at 905 dwelling video games this season.

“He is enjoying extraordinarily exhausting, particularly with defensive finish, blocking each shot, being energetic,” Mitchell informed OnSI.

Mitchell, identified for his personal defensive prowess, couldn’t assist however spotlight Chomche’s potential on that finish of the ground.

“Sky’s the restrict for him, bro,” Mitchell stated. “It’s simply as much as him the place he needs to be, how a lot vitality he needs to spend. Enjoying protection, you bought to make use of lots of vitality. That’s type of as much as him, truthfully.”

Mitchell added that Chomche has made strides offensively, significantly in his capability to complete performs. Earlier this season, the Cameroonian large man struggled to catch the ball as the sport appeared to maneuver too quick for him, however he has made important progress in that space, Mitchell stated.

“I believe that he is studying the sport, studying terminology. There’s a lot on his plate. He is studying what it takes to be skilled at this degree,” Rajaković added. “We have now a plan for him, and we do not wish to rush his sport.”

Toronto signed Chomche this previous offseason to a two-year, two-way contract, signaling their dedication to his improvement. He’s anticipated to spend the rest of this season and far of subsequent 12 months within the G League, giving the Raptors time to judge his progress earlier than making a call on his future.

“There’s a lot for him to study,” Rajaković stated. “However I see lots of potential with him, and we’ll put money into him and assist him develop into an NBA participant.”

Tuesday evening supplied only a glimpse, however within the moments, Chomche confirmed why there’s motive to be enthusiastic about his future. For a rookie nonetheless discovering his manner, progress like that is precisely what the Raptors are hoping to see.