Noa Essengue Position: Wing Height: 6'9" Weight: 194 lbs Wingspan: 6'11" Age: 18 Overview Noa Essengue is one of the youngest players in the 2025 NBA Draft class and a true long-term developmental prospect. Standing 6'9" with a supposed 6'11" wingspan and a wiry frame, Essengue possesses a rare blend of positional size, fluid movement skills, and tantalizing flashes of two-way potential. He has shown impressive production in Germany’s professional league despite his age, including strong outings against Euroleague competition and an early-season breakout against the Portland Trail Blazers in a preseason showcase. Still, Essengue is raw in most areas. His handle, shooting mechanics, decision-making, and defensive fundamentals all require substantial development. But teams intrigued by positional versatility, athletic upside, and feel for the game may view him as a moldable talent who could eventually flourish in the right situation.

Offense Essengue is at his best in transition, where his straight-line speed, long strides, and vertical explosiveness allow him to get downhill quickly and finish at the rim. His efficiency in these settings (73.7% eFG in transition) highlights his athleticism and ability to generate easy points when the floor is spaced or broken. In the half court, Essengue currently thrives off the ball. He makes timely cuts from the corner or baseline and is a capable lob target due to his length and bounce. He also draws fouls at an exceptional rate for a player his age and build: his free throw rate is reminiscent of more physically mature players, which speaks to his willingness to absorb contact even without elite strength. However, finishing in traffic remains a concern. His slight frame and lack of balance on deceleration limit his ability to convert contested looks in the paint. He’s struggled to finish through contact and has a tendency to overrun plays at high speed. While his footwork shows promise, he needs time to gain better control of his momentum and touch around the rim. The jump shot is a key swing skill. Though his 3-point percentage has improved (35% since January), questions remain about his base, balance, and consistency. His mechanics often break down under pressure, and his free throw percentage,while improved,is still middling. Nonetheless, his willingness to shoot and steady mechanical form offer some optimism for long-term growth. As a passer, Essengue demonstrates flashes of above-average feel. He makes quick decisions, keeps the ball moving, and occasionally threads creative passes to cutters or shooters. Though not a primary creator, his assist-to-turnover ratio has been solid for a young wing playing against grown professionals. If his decision-making sharpens with reps and added strength, there’s reason to believe he could become a functional secondary playmaker. Defense Essengue is a highly switchable defender on paper, with the agility to stay in front of guards and the length to contest forwards. On the ball, his foot speed and lateral agility stand out. He can bother handlers with his wingspan and use his quick hands to force turnovers or alter shots, especially against slower opponents. However, his current impact is more theoretical than consistent. Essengue still struggles with screen navigation, help rotations, and staying locked in off the ball. He can get caught watching the play or rotating late, and he lacks the lower-body strength to hold his ground against power forwards. His team defense remains a work in progress, but he competes hard and shows signs of processing reads quicker over time. As a playmaker on the defensive end, he offers upside. He generates steals and blocks at solid rates thanks to his anticipation and tools, particularly when flying in as a helper or in transition. While not a lockdown defender yet, his potential to guard multiple positions and cover ground gives him a foundation to build on. Looking Ahead Essengue is not a player who projects to make an immediate impact in the NBA. He will need multiple years to physically develop, tighten his jumper, improve his finishing, and build consistency on both ends. At the moment, his game is more flashes than finished product. He’s better viewed as a developmental swing who might not reach his ceiling for several seasons. That said, Essengue’s upside is real. He’s already produced in a pro setting while being one of the youngest players in the world at this level. His positional size, mobility, competitive motor, and improving skill base make him a high-ceiling play for a team with patience, structure, and a strong player development program. If his shot continues to progress and he fills out physically, Essengue could evolve into a two-way contributor with starting-level upside. If not, his tools and motor still give him a shot at sticking in a limited role as a versatile defender and slasher. Either way, he’s a player worth betting on, just not one to rush.