The Toronto Raptors’ youngest player has an enticing ceiling and a developmental path worth taking note of.
The NBA’s annual Summer League in Las Vegas isn’t always about the fun overreactions on social media.
Somewhere in these games are compelling stories that foreshadow the future of basketball.
Several players stood out in the Toronto Raptors’ 116-72 win over the Chicago Bulls. But Raptors centre Ulrich Chomche might demand further attention, especially with the team’s lack of length beyond Jakob Poeltl.
Chomche finished with nine points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 19 minutes off the bench.
Let’s take a look at what the Raptors teenager did on opening night.
Defence
As inexperienced as Chomche is, he’s always drawn interest from scouts due to his defensive potential. Chomche was visibly slow to track action last season. And while he still has a long way to go, there’s evidence of his improved processing speed.
In the first clip, Chomche switches onto the ball after it is inbounded. With Jonathan Mogbo’s help, Chomche hands off his man and switches into the pick-and-roll (PnR) action. He’s athletic enough to back peddle into drop coverage and has the reflexes to steal the bounce pass.
A similar switch happens in the second play, and Chomche shows off his hand-eye coordination. It’s a great display of his athleticism and balance, especially at six-foot-11.
Designed sets
Mapping out play calls and sets during Summer League can be an adventure. It’s difficult to decipher what was properly executed or intentionally designed. But it’s worth highlighting two similar-looking sets that involved Chomche.
The first clip is designed to get A.J. Lawson the ball but it begins with a Jamison Battle ghost screen followed by a “half” ghost screen by Chomche. Lawson follows up with one of his own before getting the ball in motion on the right wing. Chomche looks like he’s about to set an off-ball pin down screen for Battle before pivoting into a right-wing PnR. With Lawson already going downhill, the Bulls have no choice but to respect the drive, which opens up a small window for Chomche to get the pass.
In the second clip, there’s a similar 1.5 ghost set-up but the Raptors don’t have an empty side to execute it. Instead, they run it to the bunched area with Ja’Kobe Walter and Lawson. The Bulls defence prepares for an off-ball screen with either Lawson or Alijah Martin. Instead, the Raptors use it as misdirection, Walter sneaks into the play and goes into a PnR with Jamal Shead. Shead rejects the screen, penetrates and dumps it off to Chomche for an easy bucket.
Room for growth
Although Chomche is more involved this summer, he has plenty of room to improve. There are instances where it takes him a few seconds too long to assess what’s happening around him, especially when defences throw curveball adjustments.
A budding skill set
Chomche is only one year and nine days older than this year’s No.1-pick Cooper Flagg, and just seven months older than the top centre prospect Khaman Maluach. His developmental path will be long and winding, but it’s encouraging to see the Raptors give him more responsibilities.
In the first clip, Chomche is the designated trigger man for the backdoor Walter cut. And in the second highlight, Chomche is put in a fun 45 PnR with bruiser Mogbo. The second-year Cameroonian has an inherent ability to make plays that most others can’t due to his measurements. It’ll be up to Chomche to string those moments together consistently.