Injury news is always a bummer, but it's even worse when it happens to a youngster on the team.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype would announce the following on X (formerly Twitter):
Toronto Raptors two-way center Ulrich Chomche suffered a partial proximal MCL tear in his right knee and will miss the remainder of the season. His rehabilitation will focus on preparing for NBA Summer League.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 19, 2025
As per Blake Murphy of Sportsnet, Chomche would sustain the injury in his last outing for Raptors 905, wherein "a teammate fell into his leg."
Raptors rookie Ulrich Chomche set to miss remainder of 2024-25 season
Currently the youngest player on the Toronto Raptors' roster (in fact, the youngest NBA player right now), 19-year-old Cameroonian native Ulrich Chomche was selected in the 2024 NBA Draft with the 57th overall pick after spending time with NBA Academy Africa.
Chomche would be rerouted to the Raptors via Minnesota post-draft, where Toronto signed the 6-foot-11 big man to a two-way contract this past July. Chomche would be one of five new faces joining the team following the 2024 NBA Draft, alongside Ja'Kobe Walter, Jonathan Mogbo, Jamal Shead, and Jamison Battle (who went undrafted). He would suit up for the Raptors' 2024 Summer League squad and, later, the Raptors 905 once the G League season was underway.
In 33 appearances for the Raptors 905 (Tip-Off Tournament + Regular Season), Chomche averaged the following stats: 7.1 points on 54.4% field goal shooting, 7.6 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, in 23.8 minutes of action per game.
As the report suggests, the hope is that Chomche can return to full strength by the time the 2025 NBA Summer League rolls around. On the bright side, given that he suffered an MCL tear, and not a potentially career-altering ACL injury, it's a good sign that Chomche can recover fully and get back to the court in tip-top shape.
Nevertheless, it's definitely a significant setback for the youngster and the Raptors organization, who were just beginning to give the promising prospect some run on the main roster. Alas, it will be some time before Raptors nation can see Chomche suit up in their signature threads.