After having the first overall pick in the last two drafts, and the first two picks in last year’s draft, the French basketball factory has not stopped churning out future NBA players. This year’s draft is no different; while the number one pick will not be French, don’t be surprised to see three French players go in the first round, with Noa Essengue being the most intriguing prospect of them all.
Essengue’s breakout performance, which caught the attention of many NBA scouts, came in an October preseason game when his Ratiopharm Ulm team faced off against the Portland Trail Blazers. In this game, Essengue at just 17 years of age, scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds against the Blazers. A very strong performance by Essengue caught the attention of many NBA scouts as a player to watch for the upcoming season.
Essengue, just 18 years old, is one of the most fascinating prospects in June’s NBA draft. Measuring in at 6’10” barefoot, with a 6’11” wingspan, and a 9’3″ standing reach, Essengue has the height, length, and all the tools in his game to be a future NBA star, but will he put everything together in his transition from Basketball Bundesliga to the NBA is the question.
In Germany, Essengue has put together a great season for an 18-year-old averaging 12.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in 23.7 minutes a night. Essengue has done this with a 64.6% true shooting and has done a lot of work by getting to the free throw line. Essengue has one of the highest free throw attempt rates for a prospect at 80%, which shows his aggressiveness and will to get to the rim and draw contact. While still being a very raw and slender prospect, Essengue has shown many strengths in his game his athleticism and ability to finish in transition may be his greatest strength. Going through his film, Essengue flashes as a threat in transition every time, whether it’s cutting to the rim, or gathering the ball on the outside before driving past his man to get to the basket. With a quick first step for someone his size, Essengue can consistently blow by big men on the perimeter to create easy finishes at the rim. Essengue’s athleticism also flashes on the defensive end of the court which will be valuable in the NBA. His ability to stay in front of his man off of switches, his defensive versatility, as well as his shot-blocking ability show on film.
Just like all other prospects, Essengue does have downsides to his game. The most glaring flaw in his game is his three-point shooting. On the season, Essengue has shot just 29.4% from three and Tankathon projects his NBA three-point percentage to be 33.5%. But, in the game in October against the Blazers, Essengue did hit three three-pointers showing potential for improved shooting. The other flaw in Essengue’s game is his slender build; he jumps off the screen before the ball tips due to how skinny he looks. While we have seen players like Chet Holmgren be successful with a slender build, Essengue will have to add some muscle in order to withstand the physicality of an 82-game NBA season.
At just 18 years old, Essengue will be one of the youngest players in the NBA draft and possesses some of the highest potential out of anyone. While not being a finished product, whatever team drafts Essengue will commit to the process of Essengue’s upside. While it may take a couple of years for his potential to come to fruition, with the proper development Noa Essengue could be the steal of the 2025 NBA draft.
Lenny Talks Sports 
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