![\"Noa](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/5BD85A72AB696B59468774D45147F4B6.jpg\")
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The Chicago Bulls’ selection of Noa Essengue may seem like a reach, but that’s also what the Bulls did last NBA Draft.<\/p>\n
If you ask Essengue, though, he’ll tell you that he’s a player who can do anything and everything.<\/p>\n
That’s confidence from the Bulls’ 18-year-old, who became the second consecutive 18-year-old the Bulls have selected in back-to-back drafts.<\/p>\n
“I think I can do like pretty much everything,” Essengue said. “All those details like shooting, passing ball, attack to rim. I think my biggest friend right now is like all the open court game.”<\/p>\n
Here’s what you need to know about the Bulls’ first-round pick.<\/p>\n
The backstory:<\/p>\n
Essengue might be coming to the Bulls from overseas, but he’s not unfamiliar with the team.<\/p>\n
He’s, obviously, heard of Michael Jordan. He’s also met fellow Frenchman Joakim Noah, another long-time Bulls player who was a fan favorite.<\/p>\n
Essengue said he got a chance to meet Noah through his agency.<\/p>\n
“That’s my guy,” Essengue said of Noah.<\/p>\n
The other side:<\/p>\n
One of the biggest red flags on Essengue’s scouting report was how he left his German league team while Ulm was in the German league championship finals.<\/p>\n
Essengue was asked about that decision and said he was urged by his head coach at Ulm to leave and begin his NBA career.<\/p>\n
“We talked a lot with all the staff from Ulm, and it was like, \u2018If I get in the green room, I\u2019m leaving,\u2019” Essengue said. “On the day I learned I\u2019m in the green room, the coach said, \u2018Just go there, live your dream.\u2019”\u00a0<\/p>\n
By the numbers:<\/p>\n
Essengue averaged 12.4 points per game for the German EuroCup team Ulm in the 2024-2025 season. That’s impressive, but what got him on NBA radars was his Oct. 16, 2024, performance against the Portland Trailblazers.<\/p>\n
In that exhibition game, Essengue scored 20 against the Blazers when he was still 17.<\/p>\n
He scored a season-high 22 points against Baskets Oldenburg on April 21.<\/p>\n
In the 2024 U18 FIBA EuroBasket tournament, he averaged 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.<\/p>\n
Big picture view:<\/p>\n
Essengue is seen as a fluid forward. He has length and an athletic skill set to match it.<\/p>\n
While his defense is something experts and analysts say needs work, his scouting report from the NBA says he’s an engaged defender who can guard multiple positions.<\/p>\n
Essengue said his skill that shines the most is his ability to finish at the basket.<\/p>\n
“My biggest strength is like finishing,” Essengue said. “Finishing close to the basket \u2026 I need to work on that. Just become more consistant.”<\/p>\n
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