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Drew Stevens of "The Bigs" Discusses Noa Essengue with Mike Walton & The RoundtaBulls
Summer League is here.
The Chicago Bulls take the floor for the first time on July 10, when they will face off against the Memphis Grizzlies. That game will feature Caleb Wilson matching up with Cameron Boozer for the first time in an NBA setting.
Deservedly, fans are captivated by the prospect of seeing Wilson compete against the other top three picks in the draft — AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer — especially after Wilson’s bold comments about wanting to prove he’s better than all of them.
Yet, amidst all of the excitement, there’s another Bull's player who may have an even bigger chip on his shoulder heading into Summer League: Noa Essengue.
Sep 29, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Noa Essengue (24) poses for photos during Chicago Bulls Media Day. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
JAŸ-Z was 17 years ahead of us all when he wrote the song, "Dirt Off Your Shoulder."
Essengue - the Bulls’ selection with the 12th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft - saw his rookie season come to a heartbreaking and abrupt end, seeing the court for just six minutes before going down with a shoulder injury. It was almost the worst thing that could have happened to the Frenchman, especially given how much of the fanbase was already divided over his fit on the roster.
At the time of his injury, Derik Queen of the New Orleans Pelicans, who was selected right after Essengue, was having a great start to his own career and was the pick that many Bulls fans and former coach Billy Donovan reportedly wanted instead.
Essengue doesn’t seem to be a fan of tiny violins, though.
After undergoing shoulder surgery in December, he wasted no time getting back to work on his rehab. Around the Advocate Center, he’s reportedly a fixture in the gym, constantly working on his game, though some say he isn't as aggressive as his peers during warm-ups.
With his rookie year cut short, a rapidly developing wing rotation around him and a fanbase already labeling him a “bust,” it’s easy to believe the second-year forward is ready to brush the dirt off his shoulders and prove everyone wrong.
Sep 29, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Noa Essengue (24) poses for photos during Chicago Bulls Media Day. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
How quickly they forget.
Humanity is an unforgiving beast; time moves fast and you can be here today and gone tomorrow. The NBA is no different. It is a “what have you done for me lately” league. Chicagoans seem to have forgotten just how excited they were when Essengue played in the G League last year and put on an absolutely impressive showing.
In just four games for the Windy City Bulls, he averaged 23.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in 30.8 minutes per contest. What made his performance so encouraging was how effortlessly he played within the flow of the offense, making everything look smooth and easy. For someone initially (and potentially miscast as) a “project,” his game looked extremely polished. He shot over 50% from the field and attacked the basket repeatedly, converting 84.2% of his free throws.
New (and first-time) head coach Tiago Splitter has emphasized the importance of rebounding in his coaching philosophy for this upcoming season. Essengue was extremely active on the boards and showed a knack for the ball during his G League stint. Nearly two of his 8.5 rebounds per game were on the offensive glass.
That will be huge for a team constantly looking to create second-chance opportunities, push the pace and get out and run.
This franchise has seen the likes of Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler, Scottie Pippen, Derrick Rose, Michael Jordan, Taj Gibson, Dennis Rodman and many more fiery and legendary players come through the ranks.
The Bulls have officially entered a new era.
New rookies like Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain have arrived, and they seem hellbent on making their mark in the city of Chicago like the ones who have come before them.
Derrick Rose was just seen working out with Wilson and Swain last week, and Noah has been spotted mentoring Essengue.
The past is colliding with the present, and the future of this franchise rests on the shoulders of today's young players, new EVP Bryson Graham and Splitter.
Buckle up, Chicago. The future officially begins on July 10.
Continue reading...
Summer League is here.
The Chicago Bulls take the floor for the first time on July 10, when they will face off against the Memphis Grizzlies. That game will feature Caleb Wilson matching up with Cameron Boozer for the first time in an NBA setting.
Deservedly, fans are captivated by the prospect of seeing Wilson compete against the other top three picks in the draft — AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer — especially after Wilson’s bold comments about wanting to prove he’s better than all of them.
Yet, amidst all of the excitement, there’s another Bull's player who may have an even bigger chip on his shoulder heading into Summer League: Noa Essengue.
You must be registered for see images attach
Sep 29, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Noa Essengue (24) poses for photos during Chicago Bulls Media Day. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Dirt Off Your Shoulder
JAŸ-Z was 17 years ahead of us all when he wrote the song, "Dirt Off Your Shoulder."
Essengue - the Bulls’ selection with the 12th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft - saw his rookie season come to a heartbreaking and abrupt end, seeing the court for just six minutes before going down with a shoulder injury. It was almost the worst thing that could have happened to the Frenchman, especially given how much of the fanbase was already divided over his fit on the roster.
At the time of his injury, Derik Queen of the New Orleans Pelicans, who was selected right after Essengue, was having a great start to his own career and was the pick that many Bulls fans and former coach Billy Donovan reportedly wanted instead.
Essengue doesn’t seem to be a fan of tiny violins, though.
After undergoing shoulder surgery in December, he wasted no time getting back to work on his rehab. Around the Advocate Center, he’s reportedly a fixture in the gym, constantly working on his game, though some say he isn't as aggressive as his peers during warm-ups.
With his rookie year cut short, a rapidly developing wing rotation around him and a fanbase already labeling him a “bust,” it’s easy to believe the second-year forward is ready to brush the dirt off his shoulders and prove everyone wrong.
You must be registered for see images attach
Sep 29, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Noa Essengue (24) poses for photos during Chicago Bulls Media Day. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Remember The Name
How quickly they forget.
Humanity is an unforgiving beast; time moves fast and you can be here today and gone tomorrow. The NBA is no different. It is a “what have you done for me lately” league. Chicagoans seem to have forgotten just how excited they were when Essengue played in the G League last year and put on an absolutely impressive showing.
In just four games for the Windy City Bulls, he averaged 23.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in 30.8 minutes per contest. What made his performance so encouraging was how effortlessly he played within the flow of the offense, making everything look smooth and easy. For someone initially (and potentially miscast as) a “project,” his game looked extremely polished. He shot over 50% from the field and attacked the basket repeatedly, converting 84.2% of his free throws.
New (and first-time) head coach Tiago Splitter has emphasized the importance of rebounding in his coaching philosophy for this upcoming season. Essengue was extremely active on the boards and showed a knack for the ball during his G League stint. Nearly two of his 8.5 rebounds per game were on the offensive glass.
That will be huge for a team constantly looking to create second-chance opportunities, push the pace and get out and run.
You must be registered for see images attach
Noa Essengue Posted 27 PTS & 10 REB vs. SkyforceThe NBA G League is the NBA's official minor league. Fans can get a glimpse at the players, coaches and officials competing to ascend to the NBA's rank. With...Back To The Future
This franchise has seen the likes of Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler, Scottie Pippen, Derrick Rose, Michael Jordan, Taj Gibson, Dennis Rodman and many more fiery and legendary players come through the ranks.
The Bulls have officially entered a new era.
New rookies like Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain have arrived, and they seem hellbent on making their mark in the city of Chicago like the ones who have come before them.
Derrick Rose was just seen working out with Wilson and Swain last week, and Noah has been spotted mentoring Essengue.
The past is colliding with the present, and the future of this franchise rests on the shoulders of today's young players, new EVP Bryson Graham and Splitter.
Buckle up, Chicago. The future officially begins on July 10.
Continue reading...
