When the Chicago Bulls drafted 18-year old French forward Noa Essengue with the 12th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, most Bulls fans understood that it would take some time for the youngster to adjust to NBA basketball despite his professional background. On top of the fact that Essengue has to get used to the physicality of the NBA vs. the (German) Basketball Bundesliga, he comes into a Bulls team that is made up of competent NBA rotation players throughout. As a result, Essengue hasn't played a single NBA minute. I had no reason but to support this, as the Bulls have too many mouths to feed in terms of minutes, and Essengue playing in the G League is better than him not playing at all.

But after seeing Essengue's first G League action, my feelings on the matter have shifted dramatically.

I know it is irrational to overreact to a one-game sample size--and it is difficult when discussing a prospect I admittedly supported the Bulls selecting before the pick was made--but Essengue's 28-point, 8-rebound performance in a Windy City Bulls win gave the appearance of a prospect who could succeed in an NBA role, albeit a small one. 

Much like his (NBA) Bulls teammate Josh Giddey, Essengue is impressing by taking on the weaknesses in his game head-on, while continuing to utilize the skills that are the backbone of his game. And again, like Giddey, many scouts discussed in their reports being worried if Essengue would 1) shoot well enough to be a true threat from 3-point range, and 2) even take enough 3-pointers to get opposing defenses to pay attention to him from outside. 

So far so good. Essengue was 2-6 from 3-point range in Windy City's win over the Wisconsin Herd. The young Frenchman's 33% shooting from 3-point range isn't impressive, but rather the fact that he felt comfortable getting up six attempts from 3-point range bodes well for his transition to the big leagues.

At the NBA level, opponents will play well off of Essengue, daring him to shoot. Essengue doesn't need to be a gunner from deep, or a lights-out shooter, but something that drives coaches crazy is when players turn down open shots. With how athletic and quick defenders are at the NBA level, the first good look you get a shot might be your best look. So, again, Essengue's willingness to take 3-pointers is encouraging. 

If Essengue is willing to shoot open 3-pointers, that will simply open up more opportunities for him to attack defenders closing out. Hitting enough 3-pointers to earn a bit of respect, and then attacking closeouts, is the easiest way for a future free throw-magnet like Essengue to get to the line early and often. He only shot three free throws in his G League debut, but did knockdown all three.

Essengue has a long way to go before he is truly a threat at the NBA level, and he will have some rough nights once he gets there. All of that being said, if Noa Essengue can defend without fouling, while using his length to create scoring angles on offense, 10-15 minutes a night seems with the Chicago Bulls seems well within the realm of possibility, and manageable for the rookie. One thing is for certain, Essengue's G League debut made it clear he won't be playing down at that level for long.

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