DEAL DONE:Raptors ink 2nd round pick to uncommon two-way deal…
The Toronto Raptors have signed Ulrich Chomche.
According to Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy, the No. 57 pick in the NBA draft has reportedly agreed to a two-year, two-way contract to play for both Toronto and the Raptors 905 next season.
Chomche will occupy Toronto’s final two-way spot alongside DJ Carton and rookie center Branden Carlson, all of whom will split their time next season between the Raptors and Toronto’s G League affiliate.
The 18-year-old Chomche is a long-term developmental pick for Toronto. According to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, the Raptors sent $1 million to the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire Chomche’s rights.
Chomche, who grew up in Cameroon, began playing basketball at 11. At 12, he moved to Saly, Senegal to enroll in the NBA Academy Africa and started playing professionally in the Basketball Africa League at 16.
Chomche is expected to play for Toronto in the Summer League later this month and then start next season with the Raptors 905. As a 6-foot-11 center with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and a 9-foot-1 standing reach, he’ll provide additional frontcourt depth for Toronto.
While on a two-way contract, Chomche will not be eligible for postseason play, but Toronto can convert his contract to a standard deal at any time during the next two seasons. After that, Chomche will become a restricted free agent with an affordable qualifying offer if Toronto wishes to retain his rights.
With Chomche’s signing, Toronto has now inked all three of its second-round picks. However, first-round pick Ja’Kobe Walter has yet to sign his rookie contract, which is expected to happen before the Raptors begin Summer League on July 13.
