Noah Eseng probably won’t be on the same level as Victor Wenbagnama, but he will likely be the first French player to be selected in 2025.
Players like VJ Edgecombe, Khaman Maluach and Egor Demin could be selected before NOA Esenjou in the 2025 NBA Draft, but Esenjou could be the first player to be selected from a foreign league.
Edgecombe, Maluach and Demin are from the Bahamas, South Sudan and Russia respectively, but they all made their own names this season while playing for the NCAA. Meanwhile, Essenge is a French native and played for the German league Latiofferm Ulm.
Essenge is expected to join the likes of Alexander Sarle, Bilal Coulively, Zachary Lissacher, Tijane Surrón and Victor Wenbagnama as key parts of the new generation of French basketball stars.
At 6 feet 10, with small wing mobility, Essenge could become an NBA star if he finds a scaffold.
- Age/Date of Birth: 18 (December 18, 2006)
- Nationality: French
- Height/Weight: 6ft 10, 194lbs
- Professional Team: Ratiopharm Ulm
- 2024-25 Euro Cup Statistics: 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.4 steel, 56.0 fg%, 29.4 3pt%
- Career Highs: 21 points (vs. Budou Nostovoli), 8 rebounds (vs. dolomiti energia trento, bahçeşehirkoleji, and wolves twinsbet), 3 assists (vs. trefl sopot)
- NBA comparison: Gerami Grant
At 6-10, Esenjou has a size and length that plays with the wings or descends lower to advance more traditional power. But he needs to gain weight and muscle to compete with the NBA power forward, which is a concern for most teenage prospects.
The Essenge moves very well with or without a ball, and reaches the rim relatively easily when only a few dribbles are needed. He can make space for himself and has no problem going up to a short defender.
He is also an underrated passerby, and his stint with the fourth-placed French 2024 FIBA U18 Eurobasket team highlighted his ability to lead the team.
With the junior national team, he averaged 17.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Certainly, that goes against a much worse talent than he finds in the NBA, but he shot 67.2% within the arc. Meanwhile, he went from deep to a low 12 during that run.
The external shot leaves a lot to be desired, but he is crafty, fast, athletic, athletic enough to reach and score on the rim.
On the ball’s defense, he has the speed and length to protect both his wings and point guards. In theory, he can protect the rims on the weaker side, but even stronger players, fellow Frenchman Gershon Jabsere, can overwhelm him at least in his first few seasons.
During his two seasons with ULM and his 18 Euro basketball career, he shot a total of 24% from the 3-point range. It’s really hard to ignore, especially in the modern NBA. Most centers struggle to shoot three balls with reliable clips, but having both front and centers that can’t make the floor space doesn’t work.
Along with Ulm, he was far from the star player, but he was a solid contributor and was able to taste his role in his first few seasons. He took on an average of one turnover, which is noteworthy for such a young player, but he struggled to get quality shots in traffic.
Although it usually leads to inefficient scoring, he reached the free throw line 5.6 times per game in Euro Cup play. In the NBA, drawing a foul is a great skill, but getting a defender is even better.
Essenge will never be able to stop strong players like Giannis Antetocomo, Joel Embiid, and Bam Adebayo, but unless he fills his frame, his defensive limits will be very clear. He is not a plug and play starter for the championship team, but in the right developmental situation he can be a very good player.
In an ideal world, he could fit next to a center where he could pass shots and floors to space, hiding his weaknesses and fulfilling his strengths.
A lot of mock drafts link him to the San Antonio Spurs, and for good reason. There are clear advantages to pairing Wenbanyama with another versatile, long French player.
Miami’s fever also makes sense. The organization is well known for making the most of its outlook, and despite the down season Adeboyo is still a reliable shooter.
Finally, the Dallas Mavericks make sense. Nico Harrison hits the “Defense Winning Championship” mantra, and Essenge has the advantage of a high-level defender. Neither Daniel Gafford nor Derek Lively II can make the floor space, but Anthony Davis can.
The Mavericks have made it clear that they have no plans for a long-term future, but even if that changes, Essenge will be a solid addition.