Credits: Noah Penda's Official X Account

Noah Penda Draft Projection – Where Will the French Forward Land in the 2025 NBA Draft?

Credits: Noah Penda's Official X Account

Noah Penda is a 6-foot-8 forward from Paris, France, who has rapidly risen as a standout talent in European basketball. Growing up playing various sports, he found his calling in basketball, starting with BC Fontenay before moving to clubs like Villemomble and Levallois. By 2020-21, Penda was shining for Central Federal de Basketball in France’s third tier, later signing professionally with JA Vichy- Clermont in LNB Pro B. His breakout 2023-24 season earned him the league’s best young player honors and Second-Team All-LNB Pro B.

Joining Le Mans Sarthe Basket in the LNB Elite for 2024-25, France’s top league, he continued to impress with his ability to score from all three levels and act as a facilitator. For France’s youth teams, Penda shined at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 and 2023 U19 world cups, and his clutch buzzer beater in the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket semifinals was enough to spark a championship run. His size and length allow him to play either forward spots, excelling as an off-ball cutter, spot-up shooter, and post-up creator, while his rim protection and quick recovery draw comparisons to NBA’s Jaime Jaquez and Simone Fontecchio.

Major impact defensively for Noah Penda in Game 1 of the French playoff quarterfinals vs Monaco, one of the best teams in Europe. Showed his motor, feel and instincts on and off the ball flying all over the court for blocks, steals and deflections while making some nice passes. pic.twitter.com/Savs22E4jI
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 30, 2025

Noah Penda’s Strength and Weaknesses

Strengths

Physically mature and a high-energy wing
Strong frame that helps to embrace contact
Guards multiple positions effectively
Finishes well through contact
Active rebounder but can get better in that department
Is good at making weak side blocks and deflections
Can play as a spot-up shooter
Fast in transition plays
Excels in help defense
Can switch onto wings effectively and guard them without hesitation

Weaknesses

Perimeter shooting is a problem as he shot below 30%
His shot release mechanics is slow and low
Limited off-dribble scoring
Needs to work on his post footwork
Struggles to guard quick and shifty guards
Is good at multiple things but does not have a standout skill

Noah Penda's tape on defense is super fun. Can get a bit gambly from time to time, but you also can't find many dudes who are 6-7 without shoes with a 6-11 wingspan at 245 pounds who can also slide their feet laterally and stay in front of Mike James before swatting his jumper. pic.twitter.com/CILjogZsU1
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 2, 2025

Noah Penda’s Stats and Accomplishments

Noah Penda, in the 2024-25 playing for Le Mans Sarthe, averaged 10.2 points, 2.6 assists, 5.1 rebounds, on 30.4% from three-point land and 44% percent from the field, while shooting 69.3% from the free throw line. He also averaged 1.4 steals and 0.4 blocks per game, fully displaying his two-way ability.

Noah Penda’s Accomplishment;

LNB Pro A Best Young Player (2025)
LNB All-Star (2025)

Noah Penda’s Draft Projection

Noah Penda is projected to be a late first-round to mid-second round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. As far as the mock draft goes, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic put Penda as the 31st overall pick, whereas ESPN’s Jonathan Givony mocked him to be drafted by the Boston Celtics as the 28th overall pick in the draft.

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I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.