Bulls land Frenchman Noa Essengue with 12th pick in NBA draft

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The Chicago Bulls chose 18-year-old French forward Noa Essengue with the No. 12 selection in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Essengue is NBA-bound following a breakout season with German top-tier side Ratiopharm Ulm in which the teenage talent surged up draft boards due to his prowess as a combo forward and his defensive upside.

Bio

Position: Forward
Club: Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 194 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-11
Max vertical: 35.5 inches

2024-25 statistics with Ratiopharm Ulm:

Essengue is a high-energy forward who runs the floor extremely well for his size, and he should be able to find a role at the next level as a defensive linchpin and top-tier rebounder. He also excels in switch-heavy defensive schemes. But his wiry frame would benefit from weight training, and his perimeter game will require work to ensure that he becomes a starter in the league as a stretch big.

NBA comparison: Nicolas Batum. Essengue and Batum have more in common than just northern French origins. Both have sinewy builds, quick feet, and long limbs. They also both entered the league needing to bulk up. Essengue will need to match Batum's offensive attributes if he wants to have a 17-year NBA career.