2025 NBA Draft: Nets projected to take F Noa Essengue with No. 8 pick
2025 NBA Draft: Nets projected to take F Noa Essengue with No. 8 pick
The Brooklyn Nets have the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and that pick could be a player that makes a sizable impact on the franchise moving forward. Brooklyn will not be able to select Duke forward Cooper Flagg unless they are able to trade up to the first overall pick, but there is a promising player that the Nets could take at that spot.
In his latest mock draft for Bleacher Report, Jonathan Wasserman projected the Nets to select forward Noa Essengue at the No. 8 spot in the Draft. Essengue plays for Ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), considered the best professional basketball league in Germany and he has been making splashes for his club that has led to him getting buzz for being taken in the Lottery.
"Big scoring outputs are becoming more common for Noa Essengue in the German BBL," Wasserman wrote. "The easy baskets off rim runs, cuts and offensive rebounds have been consistent all season. But he's looking more comfortable converting off self-created drives and knocking down rhythm threes."
Essengue, 18, has played 51 games for Ratiopharm Ulm this season and he's averaging 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 51.2% from the field and 25.7% from three-point land. While his perimeter shooting will have to improve if he is going to be an all-around offensive threat, his improving shooting touch suggests that he could get there in the NBA with enough training and time.
"His improving on-ball skill and rising offensive production are becoming notable draft storylines, considering he's the draft's second-youngest prospect who also offers exciting defensive tools and movement," Wasserman continued. Essengue not only comes into the Draft as the second-youngest player behind Flagg, but he also boasts an impressive physical profile as he is listed at 6-foot-10 while probably being one of the most athletic players in the class.
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