Latest news with #NoaEssengue
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Frenchman Noa Essengue listed as a top-10 pick in one mock draft
Frenchman Noa Essengue listed as a top-10 pick in one mock draft Noa Essengue is considered one of the top international prospects in the 2025 NBA draft, and the Frenchman was recently listed as a top-10 pick in one mock draft. Essengue is averaging 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 51.6% shooting from the field in 52 games with ratiopharm Ulm in the German League. He has scored at least 20 points six times, including a 21-point performance on May 17. The 6-foot-10 forward is considered a potential lottery pick, with his size, rebounding and defensive versatility. He has looked increasingly comfortable on offense, prompting Jonathan Wasserman to list him eighth in the latest mock draft on Bleacher Report. Big scoring outputs are becoming more common for Noa Essengue in the German BBL. 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 also boasts a strong interior game and dazzled in the open court in fastbreak situations after creating turnovers with his length and instincts on defense. He has played a key role, helping his team advance to the semifinals of the German League playoffs. The 18-year-old is among several international prospects considered possible first-round picks, along with the likes of Joan Beringer, Hugo González, Ben Saraf and Nolan Traoré, among others. He likely won't have the chance to work out for teams, with his team on a deep playoff run. Essengue projects to be able to fit in with several teams drafting in the lottery. He can do several things on the court and should only continue to improve at the next level. The draft will take place on June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nets' dark-horse No. 8 pick candidate rising up draft boards
The post Nets' dark-horse No. 8 pick candidate rising up draft boards appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Brooklyn Nets can go several directions with their first selection in next month's draft. Their fall to the No. 8 pick put several household college names, such as Jeremiah Fears, Tre Johnson, Kon Kneuppel and Khaman Maluach, within their range. However, French phenom Noa Essengue is creeping into the conversation as he continues to flash his raw potential overseas. Advertisement Bleacher Report and Yahoo Sports have the Nets selecting the 6-foot-9 forward in their latest projections. 'In the past two drafts, we've rebuilding teams swing for upside overseas with the Wizards taking Bilal Coulibaly and the Hornets grabbing Tijane Salaun. The Nets have no high-upside prospects on the roster and could be enticed by the draft's second-youngest prospects who can make threes, attack, finish and defend all over,' said Jonathan Wasserman. '[Essengue's] 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.' Essengue is putting together one of his best runs of the season while playing for Ratiopharm Ulm in the BBL, Germany's top professional league. The 18-year-old has averaged 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 53.3 percent shooting in 22.0 minutes per game over his last eight appearances. ESPN has moved the Frenchman up to No. 9 in its latest Top 100 big board. Will Sean Marks, Nets take a chance on Noa Essengue with No. 8 pick? Brad Penner-Imagn Images In the early stages of a rebuild, there is no question that the Nets should prioritize the best player available at No. 8 rather than drafting for positional need. However, there has been much deliberation about what that entails: do they opt for a safe prospect with a high floor or take a swing on upside? Advertisement Noa Essengue would fall into the latter category. The 18-year-old's fluid athleticism, transition ball handling, finishing ability, playmaking flashes and defensive tools inspire hope that he can develop into a dominant two-way force. His ability to reach that ceiling will depend on several swing skills. First, his jumpshot must reach a respectable level. While he's shown flashes in that area, he's shot just 25.5 percent from distance across 52 appearances this season. His half-court ball-handling is just ok at this point, limiting his ability as a self-creator. And while he possesses the tools of an elite defender, his body positioning and awareness still have room for improvement. None of this should be surprising given Essengue's youth. He's the second-youngest player in this year's class, only three days older than Cooper Flagg. His production at the professional level at such a young age should be a green flag for front offices. Essengue has been a foul-drawing machine this season, attempting 7.5 free throws per 36 minutes and converting 72.0 percent. The young forward has displayed a soft touch on his drives, shooting 64.2 percent on twos. He's produced at this level offensively despite his raw handle and inconsistent jump shot. Overall, Essengue has the tools to develop into a home-run pick if he's able to round out the less-polished aspects of his game. However, he doesn't currently possess an elite skill outside of his impressive measurables and athleticism. If the Nets are confident in his player archetype and development trajectory, he could be their guy at No. 8. If not, they could opt for a safer pick with an established college star.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement "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. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: 2025 NBA Draft: Nets projected to take F Noa Essengue with No. 8 pick
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
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.
USA Today
18-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Projected first-rounder Noa Essengue declares for 2025 NBA draft
Projected first-rounder Noa Essengue declares for 2025 NBA draft French forward Noa Essengue told ESPN on Friday that he will declare for the 2025 NBA draft after playing this season with ratiopharm Ulm. Essengue is averaging 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and one steal on 51.4% shooting from the field in 45 games across all competitions in the BBL and EuroCup. He has registered four 20-point games, including 21 points, four rebounds and four assists on March 22. The 6-foot-10 standout is considered a potential lottery pick, with his size and defensive versatility. He has a good interior game and dazzled in the open court in fastbreak situations after creating turnovers with his length and instincts on defense. Essengue has also represented France internationally several times at the junior level, most recently in the FIBA U18 European Championship last year. He was promoted to the senior team in November for the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers, totaling 15 minutes. The 18-year-old joined teammate Ben Saraf on Friday by announcing his draft intentions. They comprise a talented group of international prospects, along with the likes of Joan Beringer, Hugo González, Noah Penda, Alex Toohey and Nolan Traoré, among others. Essengue will be a late arrival to the United States for the predraft process, with ratiopharm Ulm on track to qualify for the playoffs next month. He will likely have the opportunity to participate in a draft combine in June for prospects still playing with their international teams. The 2025 NBA draft will occur June 25-26 in New York City.
