Noa Essengue doubtless gained’t be on the identical degree as Victor Wembanyama, though he’ll in all probability be the primary French participant picked in 2025.
Whereas gamers like VJ Edgecombe, Khaman Maluach, and Egor Demin will doubtless be picked earlier than Noa Essengue within the 2025 NBA Draft, Essengue may very well be the primary participant picked from a overseas league.
Edgecombe, Maluach, and Demin are from the Bahamas, South Sudan, and Russia, respectively, though all of them made a reputation for themselves this season whereas taking part in within the NCAA. Essengue, then again, hails from France and performed for Ratiopharm Ulm of the German League.
Essengue is anticipated to affix the likes of Alexander Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Zaccharie Risacher, Tidjane Salaun, and Victor Wembanyama as a key a part of the brand new technology of French basketball stars.
At 6-foot-10 and the mobility of a smaller wing, Essengue may very well be a star within the NBA as soon as he finds his footing.
- Age/Date of Beginning: 18 (December 18, 2006)
- Nationality: French
- Peak/weight: 6-foot-10, 194lbs
- Professional staff: Ratiopharm Ulm
- 2024-25 EuroCup stats: 12.4 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 56.0 FG%, 29.4 3PT%
- Profession highs: 21 factors (vs. Budućnost VOLI), 8 rebounds (vs. Dolomiti Energia Trento, Bahçeşehir Koleji, and Wolves Twinsbet), 3 assists (vs. Trefl Sopot)
- NBA comparability: Jerami Grant
At 6-10, Essengue has the dimensions and size to play on the wings or down low as a extra conventional energy ahead. Nevertheless, he must achieve some weight or muscle to compete towards NBA energy forwards, though that’s a priority with most teenage prospects.
Essengue strikes very effectively with and with out the ball, attending to the rim with relative ease when only some dribbles are wanted. He can create house for himself and has no hassle rising over shorter defenders to get his shot off.
He’s additionally an underrated passer, and his stint on the fourth-place French 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket staff highlighted his capacity to steer a staff.
With the junior nationwide staff, he averaged a stellar 17.6 factors, 7,6 rebounds, and a pair of.4 assists per sport. Granted, that’s towards expertise considerably worse than he’ll discover within the NBA, however he shot 67.2% contained in the arc. However, he went a lowly 1-of-12 from deep throughout that run.
Whereas the surface shot leaves loads to be desired, he’s artful, quick, and athletic sufficient to get to and rating on the rim, and if the 3-point shot begins falling, that can solely make him higher.
On the defensive facet of the ball, he has the pace and size to protect each wings and level guards. In idea, he can defend the rim on the weak facet, though stronger gamers, even fellow Frenchmen Guerschon Yabusele, will be capable to overpower him, no less than in his first few seasons.
Between his two seasons with Ulm and his 18 EuroBasket profession, he shot a complete of 24% from 3-point vary. That’s actually onerous to disregard, particularly within the fashionable NBA. Whereas most facilities wrestle to shoot the 3-ball at a dependable clip, having each a ahead and heart who can’t house the ground doesn’t bode effectively.
With Ulm, he was removed from the star participant, though he was a strong contributor, which may give followers a style of his position in his first few seasons. He averaged solely a single turnover, which is outstanding for such a younger participant, however in site visitors he struggled to get high quality photographs.
That might normally result in inefficient scoring, however he acquired to the free-throw line 5.6 occasions per sport in EuroCup play. Within the NBA, drawing fouls is a superb ability to have, however scoring over defenders is even higher.
Essengue will doubtless by no means be capable to cease stronger gamers like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Bam Adebayo, though until he fills out his body, his defensive limitations shall be very clear. He’s not a plug-and-play starter on a championship staff, however with the suitable developmental scenario, he may very well be a really, superb participant.
In a super world, he would slot in effectively subsequent to a middle who can swat photographs and house the ground, permitting him to cover his weaknesses and play to his strengths.
Loads of mock drafts have linked him to the San Antonio Spurs, and for good motive. Pairing Wembanyama with one other versatile, prolonged French participant has its clear benefits.
The Miami Warmth would additionally make loads of sense. That group is well-known for getting probably the most out of its prospects, and Adeboyo, regardless of having a down season, is a dependable shooter.
Lastly, the Dallas Mavericks make some sense. Nico Harrison has pounded the “protection wins championships” mantra, and Essengue has the upside of a high-level defender. Whereas neither Daniel Gafford nor Dereck Vigorous II can house the ground, Anthony Davis can.
The Mavericks have made it clear that they aren’t planning for the long-term future, though if that had been to vary, Essengue could be a strong addition.
