Why Noa Essengue left his German pro team's finals for the draft

USA Today

25-06-2025

Forward Noa Essengue left the German Basketball Bundesliga Finals to join the 2025 NBA Draft green room in Brooklyn on Wednesday night.
If you're wondering if he's a lock to go high in this year's NBA Draft, this decision sure does raise the possibility to that very scenario.
Leaving the German pro team during its finals is a big decision, but Essengue undoubtedly makes a move like this if an NBA team is telegraphing to his representation that they're likely to take him.
NBA Big Board's Rafael Barlowe touched base with Essengue's reps to see what was what with the decision.
I spoke with his agent, who was quick to clarify: this decision was made in full coordination with all three parties—Essengue, his agency, and Ratiopharm Ulm. This wasn't a walkout or a rogue call. But optics matter, and the reaction has been split.
Some scouts and executives I talked to viewed it as a non-issue—if it was pre-arranged and everyone signed off, it's part of the business. Others weren't as forgiving, questioning what it says about Essengue's commitment to his teammates and his timing.
We'll know soon enough if Essengue's decision to head to New York was the right one and where he begins his NBA journey. A reported secret private workout with the Toronto Raptors makes you wonder if he goes as high as No. 9 overall.