Noa Essengue
Noa Essengue, born on December 18, 2006, in Orléans, Loiret, France, is a French professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is 2.03 m tall and weighs 91 kg, playing as a power forward. Essengue’s career began in 2021, playing for Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball until 2023. From 2023 to 2025, he played for Ratiopharm Ulm, with a designated period for their development team, OrangeAcademy, during the 2023-2024 season. In the 2024-25 season, under coach Ty Harrelson in Ulm, Essengue became a “key contributor” to the team, averaging 10.7 points and five rebounds. His NBA journey began on June 26, 2025, when he was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 12th pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. As a rookie, he is expected to spend his first season alternating between the G-League Windy City Bulls and the main Chicago Bulls team. Analysts have noted his high-risk, high-reward potential, with some comparing his potential to a “Giannis-type player” if he can improve his physique and refine his game. However, there are also considerations about whether his game will translate well to the NBA, given his youth and the need for a few years to become an impactful player. The Bulls’ decision to draft him was considered surprising by some, who expected them to select a more immediately NBA-ready player.
