By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following up on a total of 12 French players drafted over the last three years, including the top two picks in 2024 and the top pick in 2023, Noa Essengue, Joan Beringer, and Nolan Traore were called in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft presented by State Farm.
“First, I’m really happy because I was on the national team with Nolan and Noa last summer, and just to be here with them, it’s amazing. It’s an amazing feeling also to represent France. Yeah, just to be in the NBA Draft, to be in the big league, it’s really an amazing, amazing feeling,” said 18-year-old Beringer, recapping the evening in Barclays Center.
Coming out of his first professional campaign as a Cedevita Olimpija player in the BKT EuroCup and AdmiralBet ABA League, the Selestat native was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 17th overall pick. A French four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, is among his new teammates.
Essengue emerged as the first French selection on Wednesday, with the Chicago Bulls picking him up 12th overall. He spent the last two years with ratiopharm Ulm in the EuroCup and Germany’s easyCredit BBL.
“I think that’s not only French. I think that’s Europe in general. We do a good job of teaching young people to go to the gym, always work hard, and add some good work ethic,” the 18-year-old forward expanded his country’s success to the entire Old Continent.
Beyond extending the trend of players from France, 19-year-old Traore also marked the 16th Basketball Champions League standout to be selected in the annual draft since the introduction of FIBA Europe’s top-tier club continental competition in 2016.
“You play men who want to feed their families. They’re there for a reason. Being able to play against those guys, even in the European championship, really prepared me the best way for the NBA,” Traore talked about his 2024-25 journey with Saint-Quentin in the Champions League and France’s Betclic Elite.
Selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the 19th pick, the young point guard will work with Spanish head coach Jordi Fernandez in the NBA.
Photo Credit: ABA-Liga.com