Bulls rookie Essengue to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery

Chicago Bulls rookie Noa Essengue will undergo surgery to repair a left shoulder injury and will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season, head coach Billy Donovan said Wednesday, according to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.

Essengue suffered the injury during a recent G League game. Donovan said the Bulls preferred the French forward undergo the procedure now to avoid affecting his availability next season, with an expected six-to-seven month recovery, per The Athletic's Joel Lorenzi.

Chicago drafted the 6-foot-8 Essengue 12th overall this year. He played sparingly for the NBA side, totaling six minutes over two appearances. However, he impressed early on with the Windy City Bulls, averaging 23 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists across four G League games.