Chicago Bulls Select Noa Essengue in 2025 NBA Draft

The Chicago Bulls have made their first-round pick, selecting Noa Essengue, a forward from Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany, with the 12th overall pick.

Essengue is a 6’9″ player known for his impressive physical tools, including a 7’1″ wingspan. While still raw, his main strengths lie in downhill attacking and aggressive play. Last season, he played seven games in Germany, earning double-digit free throw attempts in several contests. His shooting has notably improved over the past six months, moving from a rough 31% three-point shooter with a 74% free throw percentage to a more reliable scorer from beyond the arc and the free-throw line, indicating significant development in his shooting mechanics.

The Bulls might not have expected Essengue to be available at this stage, but taking a chance on his upside seems to have been their strategy. His effort and physicality on the court suggest he cares deeply about his performance, with mechanics that indicate he has the potential to be a capable shooter in the future.

Despite leaving his team during their finals run in Germany, the decision to attend the NBA draft underscores his understanding of the life-changing opportunity before him. Many believe that the chance to earn millions in the NBA outweighs finishing the finals, and Essengue’s character does not appear questionable—it’s viewed as a smart, ambitious move for his career.

Moreover, Essengue’s versatility is evident in his defensive capabilities, including staying in front of guards, which further highlights his well-rounded game. His physicality and effort level have been praised, reinforcing the notion that he cares about improving.

The draft is part of a league where copying successful strategies is common. For the Bulls, this pick could be an initial step in a broader effort to reshape their roster, which has struggled with inconsistency in recent years. The team has been active, including last year’s trade of Zach LaVine, and further moves are anticipated.