Holding the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz are expected to target Noa Essengue, an 18-year-old forward from France with significant long-term upside. Standing 6-foot-10, Essengue is a rangy, fluid athlete considered among the top international prospects available.
Though still developing, his skill set and physical tools have NBA teams intrigued by his ceiling. Essengue made headlines as one of the youngest players to appear for France’s senior national team, logging minutes in FIBA EuroBasket qualifiers at just 17 — a testament to his rapid rise and potential impact.
Utah Could Take Developmental Swing With 18-Year-Old Noa Essengue
French forward Essengue, born Dec. 18, 2006, is the second-youngest player eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft and a name generating buzz around the Utah Jazz, who hold the No. 5 pick. Listed at 6-foot-10 and 194 pounds, Essengue has spent two seasons competing professionally with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany’s Bundesliga and the EuroCup.
Despite his age, he has emerged as a productive contributor, averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 steal in 24 minutes per game in EuroCup action, while converting 63% of his two-point attempts. In Bundesliga play, those averages improved to 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals.
Projected to Utah by PFSN, they wrote:
“Noa Essengue is a long-term developmental swing, but he’s one the Utah Jazz should be willing to take. Though he’s extremely raw, the talent is undeniable.”
They praised his blend of modern positional versatility, top-tier physical tools, and clear upside,
“At just 18 years old…..showcasing flashes of two-way potential that could blossom with the right developmental support. Defensively, Essengue is far from polished but has the kind of tools and instincts that coaches love to mold. He covers ground effortlessly, flashes upside as a help defender, and uses his long limbs to disrupt passing lanes.”
CSN projected him to Oklahoma City, highlighting his potential as a perimeter-based forward with upside with a caution,
“It’s become a regular theme for the Thunder to select overseas developmental players, and Essengue fits that bill. Still just 18, he’s played professionally in Germany for two seasons and, at 6’10” and playing on the perimeter, has a high ceiling. Whether or not he can add mass to his thin frame could determine if he’ll realize his potential.”
Essengue possesses a rare combination of length and agility, moving with the fluidity of a wing while standing near center height. Offensively, he’s shown promise with his touch around the rim, smart off-ball movement, and willingness to share the ball.
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Essengue’s development track also includes a milestone moment last November, when he became one of the youngest players to debut for the French senior national team during EuroBasket qualifying.
“My biggest strength is my defense,” Essengue said. “I have the versatility to guard 1 to 5. If an NBA coach wanted to put me on the court right now, it would be because I can stay in front of point guards and also put a body on centers.”
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