Noa Essengue Bio
Noa Essengue is a French professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on December 18, 2006, in Orléans, France, he began his professional career with Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball in 2021. After playing for CFBB and Ratiopharm Ulm, he was drafted by the Chicago Bulls as the 12th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Essengue has represented France in international competitions and has demonstrated significant potential in both domestic and international play.
Early Life and Background
Noa Essengue was born on December 18, 2006, in Orléans, a city in the Loiret department of north-central France. He grew up in the Orléans area and developed an early interest in basketball through local programs. As a child, he played for the youth department of Orléans Loiret Basket, the city’s professional club, which provided his first structured training environment.
His size and athleticism became apparent during his youth years, and he eventually reached a listed height of 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) and a listed weight of around 194 pounds (88 kg). These physical attributes, combined with his mobility, helped him stand out among his peers as he progressed through age-group basketball in France. His development in Orléans laid the foundation for a move into elite national-level training.
Path to Basketball
Essengue’s pathway into top-level basketball began when he joined Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball, a national training center affiliated with INSEP, in 2021. He competed in Nationale Masculine 1 (NM1), one of the upper tiers of French men’s basketball, despite his young age. Playing for CFBB gave him valuable experience against older and more physically mature opponents, helping him refine his skills as a forward.
During his time with CFBB from 2021 to 2023, Essengue continued to develop and attract attention from international clubs. His performances in French youth and senior competitions made him one of the most highly regarded young French prospects of his generation. That reputation helped set the stage for his next career step, a move to Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga in 2023.
Noa Essengue Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Essengue began his professional career with Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball in 2021, competing in NM1 at just 14 years old. The experience of training in a national-level program affiliated with INSEP exposed him to a high level of coaching, structure, and competition. Although he was one of the youngest players in the league, his performances indicated long-term promise.
Over two seasons with CFBB, he established himself as a top French prospect, drawing interest from clubs across Europe. His combination of size, athleticism, and skill at the power forward position made him a target for established professional teams seeking young talent. By the summer of 2023, he was ready to take the next step in his development by moving abroad.
Ratiopharm Ulm Era (2023–2025)
On July 21, 2023, Noa Essengue signed with Ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), one of the top professional leagues in Europe. Ulm, known for developing young international talent, provided a clear pathway for him to grow within a competitive senior environment. In his first season, he was assigned mostly to OrangeAcademy, Ulm’s developmental team, where he could adjust to the German style of play and the physical demands of professional basketball.
In the 2024–25 season, playing for coach Ty Harrelson at Ulm, Essengue became a key contributor for the team, according to FIBA. He took on a larger role within the senior rotation, contributing on both ends of the floor. His play that season caught the attention of NBA scouts and helped elevate his draft stock heading into 2025.
Chicago Bulls Era (2025–Present)
On June 26, 2025, Noa Essengue was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 12th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Bulls used a lottery selection on the French forward, signaling their belief in his long-term potential. He joined an organization that has historically valued international prospects and that has the developmental infrastructure of the Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League.
His rookie NBA season, however, was cut short. On December 3, Essengue was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. He totaled just over six minutes in his rookie campaign, going 0-for-3 from the floor. In four games with the G-League Windy City Bulls, Essengue averaged 23 points and 8.5 rebounds in 30.8 minutes, offering a glimpse of his offensive and rebounding upside.
Playing Style and Strengths
Noa Essengue is listed as a power forward at 6 feet 8 inches and around 194 pounds, giving him a modern, mobile frontcourt frame. He is known for his athleticism, ability to run the floor, and finishing around the rim. At Ulm and in the G League, he showed the ability to score efficiently and rebound at a strong rate for his position.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining milestone of Essengue’s career to date is his selection as the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He became one of the youngest French players ever selected in the lottery, and his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls represented his first step in the NBA. Before that, he earned recognition as a key contributor for Ratiopharm Ulm in the 2024–25 BBL season.
Noa Essengue Career Wins
Noa Essengue’s career is still in its early stages, and his on-court résumé is built more on development and projection than on accumulated championships. He has been recognized as a top French prospect and as a key contributor for Ratiopharm Ulm during the 2024–25 season. Detailed verified totals of individual awards and titles are not available at this stage of his career.
Club Highlights
With Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball from 2021 to 2023, Essengue gained valuable experience in NM1 competition. With Ratiopharm Ulm from 2023 to 2025, he grew into a more significant role, becoming a key contributor during the 2024–25 BBL season. With the Chicago Bulls and Windy City Bulls, he has begun his NBA journey, posting strong per-game numbers in limited G League action during his rookie year.
Noa Essengue Family
Family Background and Background
Noa Essengue was raised in Orléans, in the Loiret department of France, where he first played for the youth teams of Orléans Loiret Basket. Publicly verified details about his parents and extended family are not available.
Personal Life
Publicly verified information about Noa Essengue’s spouse, partner, or children is not available. He is a French national who began his professional career as a teenager and has continued to focus on his development as a basketball player in Europe and the NBA.
2025 Season Performance
Noa Essengue’s 2025 was defined by the NBA Draft and the start of his rookie year. On June 26, 2025, he was selected 12th overall by the Chicago Bulls, becoming a lottery pick out of Ratiopharm Ulm. He joined the Bulls’ organization with the Windy City Bulls serving as his G League affiliate.
His rookie season in the NBA was limited. On December 3, 2025, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. Across his brief NBA appearances, he logged just over six minutes and went 0-for-3 from the field, while in four G League games with Windy City he averaged 23 points and 8.5 rebounds in 30.8 minutes. Those G League numbers offered a preview of his long-term offensive and rebounding potential.
Looking ahead, Essengue’s outlook centers on recovery from shoulder surgery and continued development within the Bulls’ system. With his combination of size, mobility, and scoring instincts, the organization views him as a long-term project at the power forward position. His progression in the G League, combined with his international experience, gives him a foundation to build on once healthy.
