From his first day of training camp, Noa Essengue arrived ready to make an impact. Fast-forward months later, the 18-year-old rookie has struggled in limited minutes and now heads to the G League.
Chicago’s 2025 lottery pick looked like a potential cornerstone. Instead, he’s being funneled toward the G League, and Monday’s game made the reason painfully clear.
The Chicago Bulls officially assigned rookie Noa Essengue to the Windy City Bulls as part of a planned development path. From the moment he arrived in Chicago, the organization made it clear he would be a “project,” a raw athlete who would need time to adjust to NBA speed and strength.
After the first day of training camp back in early September, Essengue appeared determined to become an asset for the Chicago Bulls.
“A lot of people are saying you’re 18 years old, and you’re not going to be able to make a big impact right away. Do you think that’s the case?” said a team insider familiar with the rotation.
“I need to put in the work to be ready for the League. I know that’s a different level, so I just need to work for that,” Essengue replied confidently.
Even when he was available, minutes never materialized. Chicago’s frontcourt rotation is crowded: Patrick Williams, Matas Buzelis, Julian Phillips, Zach Collins, notably all ahead of him. Preseason glimpses suggested potential, but Essengue averaged just 13.8 minutes per game with shooting struggles (.333 FG%, .111 3P%) and an eFG% of .350.
When Essengue did see the floor in limited minutes Monday, it was a rough outing. He's struggled to finish around the rim and generally looked out of sync in transition, reinforcing why the coaching staff is hesitant to insert him in the rotation. The Bulls lost, highlighting Essengue’s performance as a stark reminder that raw talent doesn’t automatically translate to NBA readiness. This announcement isn't a failure, but rather a strategic transition that needs to happen.
Coach Billy Donovan emphasized that Essengue needs reps in lower-pressure settings to develop his strength, defensive timing, and decision-making. The G League provides that opportunity, allowing him to log meaningful minutes while the NBA rotation remains locked.
For now, Essengue is part of Chicago’s “future inventory,” not today’s rotation. Monday’s missteps underscore why the Bulls are cautious, but the hope is that game experience in Windy City will prepare him for the moment the rotation opens up.
In a win-now league, projects like Essengue are rarely given room to fail. The next few months may define whether he becomes a reliable contributor or another lottery pick that never fully realized his potential.
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