Chicago Bulls fans react to Noa Essengue draft pick

With the Bulls in a bit of a crossroads roster-rise, whoever they took at No. 12 was going to put under an immediate microscope. But the overall reaction of Bulls fans seems to be a bit mixed. Essengue oozes potential, but he isn’t exactly what some had in mind. Regardless, the forward will now be a major part of Chicago’s roster construction plans.

What Noa Essengue offers Bulls 

Essengue has spent the last two seasons playing in EuroCup Basketball, appearing in 25 games total. He has averaged 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 56 percent from the field and 29 percent from behind the three-point arc. His minutes jumped to 23.7 during the 2024-25 campaign, seeing Essengue’s numbers rise to 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 assists per game.

Only 18-years old, Essengue will be more of a long-term project for the Bulls. However, he’s a rangy prospect who provides a high level of athleticism for his position. He is already a strong defender due to that length and speed, and as he continues to build out offensive, Essengue will have a chance to carve out a major role in the rotation, via Jeremy Woo of ESPN.

“Chicago was tipped by rival teams as a candidate to try and move up in the draft. Ultimately, they stayed at No. 12 and went with Essengue, who will be a long-term developmental investment for the Bulls,” Woo wrote. “Chicago has needed younger frontcourt help for some time, and Essengue could give them an element of versatility and size at forward that the roster presently lacks, allowing them to potentially play a faster style that falls in concert with some of the other pieces on the roster.”

“It may take him some time to adjust to the NBA, but coming off a solid season in Germany, Essengue played his way into the lottery and could be a valuable addition, particularly if his perimeter shooting can improve,” he concluded.

Time will only tell if Chicago made the right decision. But as least on draft night, selecting Essengue seems to be a peculiar choice by the Bulls.