Noah Penda Bio
Noah Penda (born 7 January 2005) is a French professional basketball player who currently plays for the Osceola Magic of the NBA G League, on assignment from the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) and weighing 215 lb (98 kg), he plays the small forward and shooting guard positions. He was selected 32nd overall in the 2025 NBA Draft after a rapid rise through the French basketball system.
Before turning professional, Penda was regarded as one of the most promising young players in France, earning recognition in the country’s top-tier LNB Pro A league. In 2025, he was named the LNB Pro A Best Young Player and was also selected as an LNB All-Star, marking him as a notable emerging talent in European basketball.
Early Life and Background
Noah Penda was born on 7 January 2005 in Paris, France. He grew up in Bondy, a suburb in the northeastern part of the Paris metropolitan area. As a child, he tried several sports, including football, judo, swimming, and tennis, before eventually focusing on basketball.
He began playing organized basketball at BC Fontenay before moving on to the youth programs at Villemomble and Levallois. During the 2019–20 season, he averaged 19.5 points in 11 games for the Levallois U15 squad, which attracted attention from top development programs.
Penda then joined the Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball, the elite national basketball academy based in Paris. In 2020–21, he played 13 games in the Nationale Masculine 1, the third tier of French basketball, averaging 2.9 points. The following season, he raised his average to 10.6 points, showing steady improvement as a teenager.
Path to Basketball
After developing at the Centre Fédéral, Penda signed his first professional contract with JA Vichy-Clermont of the LNB Pro B, the second tier of French basketball, in June 2022. He quickly adapted to the professional level, appearing in 37 games during the 2022–23 season and averaging 3.9 points.
In his second season with JA Vichy-Clermont, he took a major step forward, again playing 37 games but raising his averages to 9.5 points and 5.9 rebounds. He was named second-team All-LNB Pro B by Eurobasket.com and was also recognized as the league’s best young player.
That breakout season opened the door to France’s top flight. In June 2024, Penda signed with Le Mans Sarthe Basket of the LNB Pro A, joining one of the most historic clubs in French basketball at age 19. He also represented France at multiple youth international tournaments, including the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup, the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, where France finished second, and the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket, which France won.
Noah Penda Career
Early Career (2022–2024)
Noah Penda began his professional career with JA Vichy-Clermont in 2022, joining the LNB Pro B side at just 17 years old. He split his first season between limited bench minutes and development assignments, finishing the campaign with averages of 3.9 points across 37 appearances.
His second year marked a sharp leap in production and responsibility. With improved averages of 9.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, he became one of the most productive young players in the league and earned both All-Pro B second-team honors and the league’s Best Young Player award.
LNB Pro A Breakthrough (2024–2025)
Penda’s move to Le Mans Sarthe Basket in the summer of 2024 represented his entry into France’s top basketball tier. Despite being only 19 years old, he earned a starting role and quickly became a key piece of Le Mans’s rotation in LNB Pro A competition.
In January 2025, he was selected as an LNB All-Star and participated in the league’s Young Star Game, where he was named Most Valuable Player. Across the season, he averaged 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, performances that helped him secure the LNB Pro A Best Young Player award at year’s end.
His standout campaign drew the attention of NBA scouts, and he was widely viewed as a prospect heading into the 2025 NBA Draft. Strong perimeter defense and versatile scoring made him one of the most talked-about international wings in the class.
Orlando Magic Era (2025–Present)
Penda entered the 2025 NBA Draft and was selected with the 32nd overall pick in the second round. Although originally drafted by the Boston Celtics, his draft rights were traded to the Orlando Magic, who signed him to his first NBA contract.
To gain additional playing experience, he was assigned to the Osceola Magic, Orlando’s NBA G League affiliate, for the 2025–26 season. The assignment allows him to develop his game with regular minutes while remaining part of the Orlando Magic organization.
Playing Style and Strengths
Noah Penda is known for his versatility on the wing, capable of playing both small forward and shooting guard at 6 ft 7 in. He combines strong perimeter defense with the ability to score from multiple spots on the floor. His youth international experience against high-level competition has also helped him refine his decision-making and basketball IQ.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable career moments is a game-winning buzzer-beater for France against Spain in the quarterfinals of the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket, a shot that sent France to the semifinals and eventually to the gold medal. He was also named MVP of the LNB Young Star Game in January 2025.
Noah Penda Career Wins
Noah Penda’s verified accomplishments include winning the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket championship with France and earning MVP honors at the LNB Young Star Game. He has also collected individual recognition as LNB Pro B Best Young Player and LNB Pro A Best Young Player, along with two LNB All-Star selections.
International and League Highlights
Penda helped France reach the silver medal at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup and won the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket. In France’s top-tier LNB Pro A, his best season came in 2024–25 with Le Mans Sarthe, when he averaged a double-digit scoring line and earned both All-Star and Best Young Player recognition.
Other Wins & Performances
Earlier in his career, Penda was named second-team All-LNB Pro B by Eurobasket.com during the 2023–24 JA Vichy-Clermont season, an award that highlighted his emergence as a top French prospect. He also posted strong youth numbers at the Centre Fédéral and Levallois before signing his first professional deal.
Noah Penda Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Noah Penda’s immediate family is limited, and verified details about his parents have not been confirmed in available sources. He grew up in Bondy, in the Paris metropolitan area, where he began his early basketball development.
Personal Life
Noah Penda is a French national born in Paris. He began his professional basketball career at age 17 and has continued to focus on his development as a young NBA prospect. Beyond his career details, further public personal-life information is not currently available from verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a landmark period for Noah Penda. He wrapped up his LNB Pro A season with Le Mans Sarthe by earning the league’s Best Young Player award and an All-Star selection, then declared for the 2025 NBA Draft.
He was selected 32nd overall, with his draft rights traded from the Boston Celtics to the Orlando Magic. Shortly after, he signed his first NBA contract and was assigned to the Osceola Magic of the NBA G League to begin his professional career in the United States.
Looking ahead, Penda is expected to spend the 2025–26 season developing with the Osceola Magic, with the goal of earning rotation minutes at the NBA level with Orlando in the near future.
