In a devastating blow to the Chicago Bulls’ rebuilding efforts, rookie forward Noa Essengue—the team’s No. 12 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft—has been sidelined for the remainder of his debut season due to a severe shoulder injury. The announcement came just moments before the Bulls’ matchup against the Brooklyn Nets at the United Center on Wednesday night, casting a shadow over what was already a challenging campaign for the franchise.
Essengue, an 18-year-old French phenom known for his athleticism and potential, suffered the injury while playing for the Bulls’ G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. The team confirmed that he will undergo surgery on his left shoulder, with head coach Billy Donovan estimating a recovery timeline of six to seven months. This means the young forward’s development is on hold, depriving him of crucial on-court experience in both the NBA and G League.
The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Chicago, who have stumbled through a rough 3-10 stretch in recent weeks. Essengue had been shuttling between the NBA roster and the G League, appearing in just two big-league games for a combined six minutes without scoring his first NBA basket. While his role was expected to be limited as a raw prospect, the Bulls had hoped he would gain valuable reps to build toward the future. Now, that plan is derailed, forcing the team to navigate the season without one of their key lottery investments.
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Despite the setback, there are silver linings. At only 18, Essengue’s youth could aid in a quicker recovery, and his brief G League stint showed promising flashes of the talent that propelled him up draft boards. In four games with Windy City, he averaged impressive numbers, showcasing his scoring ability and rebounding prowess:
- Nov. 11: 28 PTS (11-21 FG, 2-6 3PT, 3-3 FT), 9 REB, 1 AST
- Nov. 21: 22 PTS (7-13 FG, 1-5 3PT, 4-4 FT), 6 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK
- Nov. 26: 27 PTS (8-18 FG, 2-7 3PT, 5-7 FT), 10 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL
- Nov. 28: 15 PTS (5-9 FG, 0-3 3PT, 4-5 FT), 9 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK
Overall, Essengue shot 50.8% from the field and dropped 20+ points in three of those outings, highlighting his downhill finishing and open-floor athleticism. While G League stats should be viewed cautiously, these performances reaffirm why the Bulls saw him as a cornerstone for their long-term plans—far beyond immediate contributions in 2025-26 or even the following year.
For now, Essengue’s focus shifts entirely to rehabilitation. Donovan expressed optimism about the rookie’s resilience, noting that the injury, while unfortunate, shouldn’t derail his career trajectory. The Bulls, meanwhile, must press on without him, leaning on their veteran core and other young talents to salvage the season.
This news adds to the Bulls’ woes, but it also underscores the risks of drafting high-upside teenagers. Chicago fans can only hope Essengue returns stronger, ready to fulfill the promise that made him a lottery gem.