By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Noa Essengue is determined to change how fans view his game. After shoulder surgery prematurely ended his first NBA year, the Chicago Bulls forward faced a tough setback, but is back on track ahead of the 2026–27 Regular Season.
The 19-year-old player has bounced back with more aggression and force, tallying 5.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in the NBA Preseason 2026. Beyond the serious injury, moving in from ratiopharm Ulm required an adjustment. Essengue believes toughness can be built.
“I think it’s something you can learn easily,” he explained following Wednesday’s meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks in Fiserv Forum. “When you go to a new league where almost all of the players are older than you, they’re going to naturally play more physical. You have to try to adapt to that.”
“He’s playing hard,” mentioned head coach Tiago Splitter. “He’s trying to do the right things, crashing the offensive boards, being aggressive on defense. That’s what you ask for from a young guy.”
Still, the roster remains tight with Essengue looking to establish himself in the rotation before the regular-season opener against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.
“I’m a competitor,” the Orleans native welcomed the battle with teammates for minutes. “I love to compete for everything.”
On the heels of a successful junior career, Essengue made his debut with the French senior national team during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in 2024, a few months before being drafted by the Bulls with the 12th overall pick.
Closing the Preseason schedule on Friday, his side takes on the Minnesota Timberwolves in United Center.
Make