When the Chicago Bulls stepped up to the podium and selected Noa Essengue with the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, they sent a clear message to the basketball world: the franchise is committed to building a future centered on youth, upside, and global scouting. In choosing the 18-year-old forward from France, who most recently played with Germany’s Ratiopharm Ulm, Chicago took a bold step toward reshaping its roster with one of the most intriguing international prospects in the class.
Noa Essengue’s path to the NBA has been anything but conventional. Born in Orléans, France in December 2006, Essengue was raised in a basketball-oriented environment, surrounded by family and local programs that nurtured his early talent. After impressing in the youth circuits of Pôle Espoirs d’Orléans, Essengue earned a place at INSEP, France’s prestigious national sports institute known for producing elite athletes. It was at INSEP where Essengue honed his game against top French and European competition, showcasing a skill set that was far beyond his age.
At just 16 years old, Essengue had already made headlines with a 20-point performance in France’s third division, a remarkable feat for a teenager. While many expected him to stay in France or pursue college basketball in the United States, Essengue charted his own path. He signed with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany’s Bundesliga in 2023, betting on himself and a developmental path through one of Europe’s most respected programs for nurturing NBA-level talent.
His first season with Ulm was focused on growth. Essengue split his time between the main Bundesliga squad and the developmental team OrangeAcademy. Despite limited minutes early on, he had breakout moments. One particularly eye-catching performance came in a ProB game where he scored 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, flashing his upside as a high-energy forward with touch around the rim and an advanced feel for rebounding.
But the moment that truly caught the attention of NBA scouts came in October 2024, during a preseason matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Still only 17, Essengue poured in 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds, competing with poise and confidence against NBA athletes. It was more than a statistical performance—it was a declaration that he belonged on the biggest stage.
As the 2024–25 European season unfolded, Essengue became a fixture in Ulm’s rotation. In EuroCup play, he averaged over 12 points and five rebounds per game, while shooting an efficient 56 percent from the field. He added over a steal per game and showed signs of developing into a switchable defender capable of guarding multiple positions. In Germany’s top domestic league, he elevated his play during the postseason, notably posting 17 points and nine rebounds in a playoff win that sent Ulm to the finals.
Just as Ulm prepared for its championship series, Essengue made a difficult decision. With the NBA Draft looming, and after receiving an invitation to the prestigious green room in Brooklyn, he opted to leave the team to focus on preparing for the draft. The move drew mixed reactions—some questioned his commitment, while others, including Ulm’s coaching staff, supported the decision. For Essengue, it was a calculated step toward the next level of his career.
At the NBA Draft Combine, Essengue measured just under 6-foot-10 with shoes, with a 7-foot-1 wingspan and a standing reach of 9 feet. He posted top-10 sprint times among forwards, highlighting his rare mix of size and agility. His performance in workouts reinforced the buzz: Essengue had all the physical tools to be a disruptive defender and an efficient finisher in the NBA.
By draft night, his stock had risen considerably. Once viewed as a late first-round pick, he climbed into the lottery. The Bulls, intrigued by his upside and long-term potential, selected him with the 12th pick. The decision marked a continuation of Chicago’s strategy of investing in young, versatile forwards, following the previous year’s selection of Matas Buzelis at No. 11.
Essengue’s game is built on elite athleticism, fluid movement, and defensive instincts. He thrives in transition, runs the floor like a wing, and attacks the rim with authority. On defense, he has shown the ability to switch onto guards, protect the rim, and disrupt passing lanes with his length. What sets him apart, especially for someone his age, is his motor—he plays with consistent effort, dives for loose balls, and crashes the glass.
Offensively, he’s a work in progress. His shooting remains inconsistent—hovering below 30 percent from three—but there have been signs of improvement. He has solid mechanics, a soft touch around the basket, and finishes well with both hands. Coaches and scouts believe that with time and NBA-level development, he can stretch his range and become a reliable spot-up shooter.
Perhaps most impressive is Essengue’s maturity and awareness. He understands his role and doesn’t force the game. He’s willing to make the extra pass, set solid screens, and do the little things that don’t always show up in the box score. For a team like Chicago, which is navigating a delicate rebuild, that kind of attitude is invaluable.
Critics of the pick have noted the risks. Essengue is still physically raw, and at just 18 years old, he will face an enormous learning curve. The NBA’s strength and speed will test his body and mind. He’ll need to add muscle to compete inside and expand his offensive arsenal beyond finishes at the rim. Some scouts worry that without a reliable jump shot, he could become one-dimensional. But the Bulls aren’t banking on immediate results—they’re betting on long-term growth.
In that regard, Essengue’s decision to play in Europe instead of chasing the spotlight in American college basketball shows a level of self-awareness that bodes well for his NBA future. At Ulm, he learned how to be a professional. He competed against grown men, adapted to complex systems, and thrived under pressure in a league known for developing young players. That experience has prepared him for the challenges ahead in the NBA.
Essengue joins a Bulls team in transition. With veterans like Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan aging out of their prime and younger talents like Coby White, Josh Giddey, and Buzelis emerging, the team is looking to redefine its identity. Essengue brings something they’ve lacked—an athletic, defensive-minded forward with the upside to become a two-way force.
In the short term, Chicago may deploy Essengue off the bench, allowing him to focus on defense, rebounding, and hustle plays. As he gains strength and confidence, he could evolve into a high-impact role player, capable of switching across the frontcourt and thriving in up-tempo systems. If his shooting improves and his offensive game expands, the ceiling is even higher—possibly a future starter or more.
The Bulls’ front office knows that not every lottery pick pans out. But they also know that in today’s NBA, versatility, length, and defensive potential are more valuable than ever. In Essengue, they see a player who checks those boxes—and one who is just beginning to tap into his immense potential.
Noa Essengue’s journey is only starting. Draft night was the culmination of years of work, sacrifice, and bold choices. But the real test begins now: adjusting to the NBA, enduring the grind of an 82-game season, and continuing to develop as a two-way contributor. If he embraces the challenge with the same fearlessness that brought him from Orléans to Ulm and now to Chicago, the Bulls may have found a cornerstone for the future.
As he dons the red and black for the first time, fans in Chicago will be watching closely, hoping that their new French import becomes more than just a high-upside pick. They’re hoping he becomes a symbol of the franchise’s new era—defined by energy, defense, and youth. For Noa Essengue, the opportunity is clear. Now it’s time to make it count.
