Noa Essengue is a project. That is a fact. The Chicago Bulls knew this when they drafted him. Everybody understood the 18-year-old from France had little professional polish. His shooting was highly inefficient, and his body is rail-thin. He’d need time to prepare himself for the rigors of the NBA. The first two games of the Summer League have confirmed this. Essengue has gone 6-of-17 from field goal range and 1-of-7 from behind the arc. Those shooting issues were no joke. He has a lot of work to do. However, one element is already flashing positively in a big way.
His defense.
Through two games, Essengue already has four steals and two blocks. One of the constant mentions in his scouting reports was a natural affinity for defense, given his height, length, athleticism, and aggressive mentality. This is precisely what the Bulls were hoping for. Perimeter defense has been a constant issue for them going back years. Having a player with that array of skills pushes them in the right direction. At the very least, it looks like Essengue will become a quality defender the Bulls can utilize to guard top guards and wings.
Noa Essengue controls his fate.
Nobody believes the rookie will have any impact on the Bulls this season. He’s way too raw. Most expect he’ll spend his time on the Windy City Bulls in the G League. Maybe so. It will depend on how quickly he can improve his offensive game in the coming months. Right now, it’s not where it needs to be. This is far from a death sentence. Plenty of future stars built themselves up in the G League. Paul Siakam, whom Noa Essengue is often compared to, spent a year there early in his career. If it’s good enough for the three-time All-Star, it’s good enough for the 12th overall pick.
