With the 12th overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls selected 18-year-old Frenchman Noah Essengue. Much like Josh Giddey’s route to the Association, Essengue never attended college in the United States and was drafted directly from an overseas professional basketball league. In his case, he began his professional career in France before moving to Germany for his final year abroad. For the Bulls, he’s been primarily focused on development so far. He’s yet to log any minutes in Chicago, but has played one game for the Windy City Bulls, in addition to the NBA Summer League. During a shootaround last week, Essengue ran into one of the most iconic Chicago Bulls players of all time, who had some words of wisdom for the youngster.
Noa Essengue, Meet Joakim Noah
Joakim Noah is a legend for the Bulls franchise. The two-time All-Star center played nine of his NBA seasons in Chicago, which included an NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, seven playoff appearances, including a Conference Finals loss, and one All-NBA First Team honor. He is a borderline Basketball Hall of Fame candidate and will surely be elected to the Bulls Ring of Honor down the road. Noah’s parents were both from France, and he spent a decade of his childhood there. With that common ground, he and Essengue had immediate chemistry.
Joakim: “Do you have my number?”
Noa: “No, only your Instagram.”
Joakim: “Anything you need, I’m here for you.”
Watch the full convo with @JoakimNoah & @NoaEssengue in our new All-Access episode on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/FCnwMNN9d8
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 17, 2025
Noah was the heart and soul of Chicago for nearly a decade. He’s one of the most beloved players in franchise history, both within the organization and among the fan base, and was named a Chicago Bulls ambassador in 2021. Any support or advice he can give the young newcomer will be vital to his success.
Progressing To The NBA Stage
Essengue was drafted as a developmental project. At only 18 years old, his frame is not defined enough to compete on a nightly basis, but he possesses many of the baseline skills required to contribute at the highest level. He played well over the summer and had a great first outing in the G-League. It won’t be surprising to see him crack the Bulls’ rotation by the end of his rookie campaign. His length, ability to play downhill, and defensive versatility make him the perfect future asset for a rebuilding group.
2025 NBA lottery pick Noa Essengue just made his G League debut scoring 28 PTS and 8 REB for the @windycitybulls 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/fqiJfqgYAz
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) November 12, 2025
During his brief chat with Joakim Noah, Essengue mentioned soaking in the habits and maneuvers of similarly built players across the league. Using examples like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Evan Mobley, he said his goal was to emulate those stars and draw as much from their games as possible to apply to his own. This is a remarkable approach from such a young and inexperienced talent, showcasing a humble nature that is essential for success at the NBA level.
With all the tools at his disposal, including help from a Chicago legend, how soon can Essengue contribute on the highest stage?