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Cameroon: FAP Basketballer Ulrich Chomche Writing His Story One Step At A Time

August 15, 2022

By Boris Esono Nwenfor [caption id="attachment_99454" align="alignnone" width="1253"] My first ambition is to continue to grow as a player by working hard every day with my coaches at the NBA Academy, says Ulrich Chomche[/caption] 16-year-old Cameroonian Ulrich Chomche, who performed for Cameroon’s Forces Armees et Police, FAP, this season is likely one of the standout prospects within the NBA Academy Africa, per Troy Justice, Head of International Basketball Operations at the NBA . Born in Bafang, in the West Region of Cameroon, Ulrich has a huge prospect of developing as a basketballer and hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow Cameroon basketballers Joel Embiid and Pascal Siakam. For that to happen he says he needs to continue to grow as a player by working hard every day with my coaches at the NBA Academy. “The work that I will put in will have to translate into games where I plan to give my best every time I step on the floor.  I think by doing that recruiters will see in me a good young player and teammate who is willing to continue to improve,” Ulrich said. In an interview with Pan African Visions, the 6’11 basketballer opened up on his childhood, the 2022 Basketball Africa League season and his ambition as a basketballer. PAV: May we start this interview by knowing who Ulrich is in terms of background? Ulrich: My name is Ulrich Chomche Kamka, I’m from Bafang in the West Region. I grew up and went to school in Bafang with my mother, grandmother and siblings before joining the NBA Academy. Basically, I am a true and proud son of  Bafang. . PAV: You are just 16 years of age. How did you get involved in playing Basketball? Ulrich: Basketball was introduced to me in Bafang by Coach Norbert who saw that I was growing faster than my friends.   Then Coaches Atangana and Godlove Cham continue to work with me until I left Bafang for the NBA Academy. PAV: Talk to us about getting into Forces Armees et Police (F.A.P). How did that come about? Ulrich: As a player of the NBA Academy, we were selected to be part of the BAL Elevate Program which is a transition developmental pathway into BAL teams for us younger players to gain game experience at that level.  Since I was from Cameroon, I was the first player selected by FAP to join the team. PAV: You played 7 games during the season and averaged 2.1 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game. How will you sum up your 2022 BAL season with FAP? Ulrich: It was a great experience, and I learned a lot from those games. For me, it was not about stats but more about learning how basketball is played at that level and understanding how the skill set that I developed at the academy can transfer into the game with experienced players. PAV: Forces Armees et Police (F.A.P) were Semi-Finalists this year, you must have been gutted not to have reached the finals yet again. Ulrich:  I think the team is improving every year, the first year they didn't do that well and this year was different. I'm sure next year they will do even better. The coach allowed the players to play freely and to compete at a good level that why we were able to reach the semifinals. [caption id="attachment_99455" align="alignnone" width="480"] Ulrich had a great season with FAP and believes the Cameroonian side will do even better next season[/caption]   PAV: On April 16, you set a career-high 7 rebound in FAP's loss against Petro Luanda. And on April 18, you set a career-high 6 points in FAP's win against Cobra Sports. How important are such milestones to your career? Ulrich:  I don't look at those numbers as important to me at this stage of my career, I focus more on how to be a good teammate and help the team win. My coaches at the NBA Academy always tell me to focus on helping the team win because of winners and more important statistics chasers. My job with FAP was to be present on defence and bring energy every time I stepped on the court. PAV: You are admired for your strength and speed and also very highly explosive and quick off your feet. Is that all Ulrich has to offer or there is more in the tank? Ulrich:  I’m still growing in my game; I still have a lot to learn, and I trust my coaches at the NBA Academy to continue to help me grow and develop more skills both on offence and defence.  I believe I still have a lot to offer on a basketball court but I have to go one step at a time and trust my coaches and the opportunities given to me such as playing for FAP to improve. PAV: In this off-season, what will you be looking at improving upon ahead of possible the 2023 Basketball Africa Season? Ulrich:  As I said before my overall game is a work in progress and I continue to work on my skills every day. My shot and my ball handling have to improve to be a threat on offence. I also want to polish a few things defensively to become an elite and more intimidating defender. [caption id="attachment_99456" align="alignnone" width="1280"] I believe I still have a lot to offer on a basketball court but I have to go one step at a time and trust my coaches and the opportunities given to me such as playing for FAP to improve, Ulrich Chomche[/caption] PAV: You are part of the first cohort of NBA Academy players drafted into the BAL Elevate program. How is this program important to a young basketballer like you? Ulrich: Yes, I am and it was a great experience for all of us because we grew a lot during that competition. PAV: What is your ambition as a young basketball player? Is it the height of fellow Cameroonians Joel Embiid and Pascal Siakam? Ulrich: My first ambition is to continue to grow as a player by working hard every day with my coaches at the NBA Academy. The work that I will put in will have to translate into games where I plan to give my best every time I step on the floor.  I think by doing that recruiters will see in me a good young player and teammate who is willing to continue to improve.  My big brothers Joel and Pascal have shown us young Cameroonians that with hard with it was possible. I believe in hard work and I'm ready to follow in their footsteps. PAV: Aside from basketball, what does Ulrich do in his downtime? Ulrich: I like to watch movies; I enjoy spending time with my teammates at the academy. We play video games, pool and other games.  I spend a lot of time thinking about how I can help my community of Bafang and I hope to do so one day by the grace of God.

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