Noa Essengue is back on the floor for the Chicago Bulls, but the message coming from one local insider is simple: don’t rush the process.
Essengue returned last Friday in the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas after his rookie season ended during the first half of last season because of a shoulder injury. Against the Memphis Grizzlies, he put up 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks in a 97-96 loss - a solid first step, even if it came in defeat.
K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Sports Network urged Bulls fans to keep the long view in mind, calling Essengue’s comeback a “process”, per 104.3 The Score.
“He has an awareness of how to play,” Johnson said. “He gets deflections, he's got length, defensively, I thought he was in the right place a lot. But it's going to be a process for him.”
That patience comes with some context. Essengue, 19, was taken by Chicago with the No. 12 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after spending time with professional clubs in France and Germany from 2021 to 2024. He also suited up for the French under-18 national team at the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket tournament.
The Bulls have already seen flashes from him in Summer League. In 2025, Essengue had his best outing against the Indiana Pacers, scoring 21 points with 3 rebounds while going 3-for-3 from 3-point range in an 114-105 win. Across three games that summer, he averaged 12.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 41.9% from the field.
"He has an awareness of how to play. He gets deflections, he's got length, defensively I thought he was in the right place a lot. But it's going to be a process for him."@KCJHoop discussing Bulls forward Noa Essengue. pic.twitter.com/FmN9CFxgBY
— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) July 13, 2026
His first pro season in Chicago was brief. Essengue appeared in two games for the Bulls before the shoulder injury, then played four games for the Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League. Across those six total games, he averaged 23 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in 30.8 total minutes.
At 6-foot-10, Essengue brings a blend of quickness, defensive versatility and off-ball movement - traits that showed up again in Las Vegas, even if the bigger picture still points to a gradual climb.
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