Since the 2025 NBA Draft, one of the more intriguing names on the Chicago Bulls roster has been the 18-year-old rookie out of France, Noa Essengue. However, through the first 10 games of the 2025–26 season, the Bulls’ first-round draft pick remains the only lottery selection yet to receive regular-season action. And it's not due to a lack of talent, either. It's simply a result of Chicago exceeding expectations early on, giving Billy Donovan little reason to shake up a rotation that’s had success.
Pair that with Donovan’s well-known philosophy on developing rookies, and Essengue’s lack of opportunity begins to make even more sense. The Bulls' Head Coach doesn’t just hand out minutes because they were a lottery pick; he wants them to earn every second on the floor. Matas Buzelis went through the same process last season, getting sent down to the G-League a week earlier into the season on November 2nd of 2024.
For a raw but promising prospect like Essengue, who needs to be getting as many reps as possible to speed up his development, the G-League has become his playground. And in his debut with the Windy City Bulls, he wasted no time making a strong impression.
Essengue's debut gives a glimpse of what's to come
In the Windy City Bulls' matchup versus the Wisconsin Herd, Essengue dominated in a performance that should have Bulls fans demanding him to be recalled immediately. The rookie exploded for 28 points and eight rebounds, while shooting an efficient 52.4 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. But beyond the box score, it was also his confidence and control that stood out. He looked comfortable within the flow of the game and displayed the two-way versatility that made him such an intriguing prospect through the pre-draft process in the first place.
However, what impressed most was his balance on the offensive side of the ball. Essengue leaned into his strengths by attacking the basket, finishing through contact, and drawing fouls. At the same time, he showed major confidence in his jumper, knocking down open shots and playing with a level of maturity rarely seen from professionals at his age. His eight rebounds also further emphasized his activity level.
What comes next for Essengue?
A few games in the G-League will give Essengue the perfect opportunity to show the Bulls’ coaching staff he’s ready to take that next step from raw prospect to rotation contributor. Obviously, the competition in the G-League isn’t near NBA level, but dominating at this stage is an encouraging sign that he’s progressing in the right direction.
The Bulls might not need Essengue right this second, but performances like this prove he’s staying ready once they do finally call his number. Hopefully, that moment won't be too far in the future.