By Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Sports journalist
Announced relatively high during the 2025 NBA Draft, Noa Essengue was able to get a first impression of the league and the game that is developed there this Wednesday. Opposed to the Blazers, he took the opportunity to show himself to the scouts, whom he impressed.
Like Victor Wembanyama against the G-League Ignite Team last year, he had a great opportunity to showcase his qualities a few months before the Draft. Passing through the United States in recent hours with Ratiopharm Ulm, Noa Essengue faced the Blazers as part of the preseason NBA. And despite his club’s defeat (100-111), he was able to seize the opportunity with both offensive and defensive highlights:
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NBA Draft experts salute Noa Essengue’s performance
More than the simple actions above, Essengue can consider having delivered a really good match on the Portland floor. He actually finished as his team’s top scorer with 20 points (6/14 shooting, 3/6 from 3 points), also compiling 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 interception. Enough to justify its status as a potential future lottery pick with admiring American Draft specialists on X :
Rafael Barlowe : Noa Essengue is only 17 years old. I firmly believe in its potential.
Derek Parker: Noa Essengue was massively impressive this (Wednesday) evening: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists. We remind you that this is a 17 year old kid who faced an NBA team
He is also obliged to recognize the good performance of the young French winger, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic on the other hand expressed significant doubt regarding his probable future in the league:
Sam Vecenie: I found that Noa Essengue was solid in this match. He is one of those players who is extremely productive. I also think he’s a better passer than you might think. As with his teammate (Ben) Saraf, I’m just worried about what he gives when his shot doesn’t go in (and that hasn’t been the case thus far in his career).
Coming to Portland with Ratiopharm Ulm to increase his rating in the NBA and in the United States, Noa Essengue achieved this with a remarkable performance against the Blazers. It’s up to him to confirm in the coming months to climb in the Draft projections.
