Chicago drafts Noah Essengue 12th Overall of 2025 NBA Draft

Instead of looking for homegrown talent, Chicago decided to look overseas for their 2025 first-round draft pick. Noah Essengue has been making a name for himself in Germany, playing at the forward position. Essengue could blossom into a 20 and 10 guy that could help Chicago make even deeper playoff runs.

Essengue impresses Chicago from overseas

Noah Essengue was the twelfth overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft. He made a name for himself playing for the developmental team Ratiopharm Ulm out of Germany. He averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds in his 2 seasons for Ulm. He showed big improvement last season playing multiple positions, averaging 23 points in 18 games as a very flexible forward for Chicago at 6’10”.

Chicago is hoping Essengue can help the franchise get into the playoffs proper. Last season, the team made it to an Eastern Conference play-in game, where they lost to the Miami Heat. The Bulls can definitely use a new forward in the starting lineup.

They have a couple of solid guards in Josh Giddey and Lonzo Ball, as well as a stout center in Nikola Vucevic. Grabbing a forward through the draft could be the next step in rounding out a Chicago starting five that is looking to make a strong playoff run in 2026.