Noa Essengue - Ratiopharm Ulm forward - 18 y/o

Stats: 13 p/g, 5 r/g, 1 a/g, 2 stl

Measurables: 6'9" - 198 lbs - 6'11" wingspan

Noa Essengue, a promising young French forward from Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany, is emerging as an intriguing prospect for the upcoming NBA Draft. Born in 2006, he is the second-youngest prospect in the draft, showcasing a tantalizing blend of physical tools, defensive versatility, and offensive skills. He projects as a multi-positional defender capable of switching across positions 1-4. He shows quick feet, anticipation in help coverage, and active hands that lead to steals and deflections. He rotates well, stays engaged off-ball, and has the instincts and effort to be a impactful defender. He still needs to bulk up, but his defense is his best skill. Essengue is a great finisher, especially in transition, where he elevates for dunks and layups. He runs the floor with purpose and can finish in space with spin moves, euro-steps, and off-hand layups. He's an intelligent cutter as well and has a knack for getting open. Essengue plays with a relentless motor and competes on the boards at both ends of the court. He has a good feel for the game, moving the ball quickly and making decisive passes within the flow of the offense. He can find cutters and occasionally thread interior passes out of the post. His tremendous upside is the biggest reason why many teams could take a flyer on him. His shooting form is clean, but although he shows flashes as a mid-range and three-point shooter, his jumper is inefficient overall. His handle is a work in progress, which leads to limited shot creating, especially off the dribble. He needs to add a lot of muscle as well. At times, he can play out of control when pushing the pace or attacking off the bounce, which can lead to turnovers or forced drives. Overall, Essengue will be looked at by many teams as a high-upside prospect near the lottery.

NBA Comps: Darius Bazley, Nicolas Batum, Obi Toppin Lite

Best Fits: Atlanta, Brooklyn, San Antonio

Ceiling: All-NBA

Floor: Rotation wing

Projected Draft Range: 11-21