On June 26, 2025, the Chicago Bulls ignited excitement and controversy by selecting Noa Essengue, a 6’10” forward from Orléans, France, with the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 18-year-old, who averaged 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 18 EuroCup games for Ratiopharm Ulm, joins a rebuilding Bulls frontcourt alongside Matas Buzelis, as veterans like Nikola Vucevic age and Patrick Williams and Zach Collins fail to cement long-term roles, per ESPN. Compared to Pascal Siakam and Jerami Grant for his two-way versatility, Essengue’s selection drew praise from the Chicago Bears and Sky on X, with fans like @CalebFC18 hyping his “insane upside.” Yet, many fans slammed the Bulls for bypassing Maryland center Derik Queen, with X posts like “Worst front office in the league” (@king1sed). Let’s analyze Essengue’s fit, the Bulls’ strategy, the fan divide, and why this pick is a social media firestorm.
The Pick: Noa Essengue at No. 12
The Bulls selected Noa Essengue, a 6’10”, 194-pound forward, with their sole first-round pick at No. 12, per Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls, June 26, 2025). At 18, Essengue showcased his potential in Germany’s EuroCup for Ratiopharm Ulm, averaging 12.4 points (48.7% FG, 34.1% 3PT), 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 24.6 minutes across 18 games, per EuroCup Basketball. His athleticism, 7-foot wingspan, and defensive instincts draw comparisons to Pascal Siakam (26.6 points, 7.1 rebounds in 2024-25) and Jerami Grant (20.7 points, 1.1 blocks), per NBA.com. Essengue’s ability to guard multiple positions and stretch the floor with developing shooting makes him a modern two-way prospect, per The Athletic.
Chicago’s frontcourt is in transition. Matas Buzelis, the No. 11 pick in 2024, averaged 8.7 points and 4.1 rebounds as a rookie, showing promise as a versatile wing, per ESPN. Nikola Vucevic (34, 17.6 points, 10.5 rebounds) remains productive but is aging, while Patrick Williams (7.2 points, 39.5% FG in 2024-25) has underperformed, and Zach Collins is not in long-term plans, per Bleacher Report. Essengue joins Buzelis as a cornerstone for Chicago’s rebuild, addressing the need for athletic, switchable forwards. The Bulls’ official X post welcomed him: “From Orléans, France to Chicago, Illinois ❤️” (@chicagobulls), echoed by the Bears (“Let’s get it, @NoaEssengue!”) and Sky (“WELCOME TO CHITOWN, NOA”).
Why Essengue? Bulls’ Rebuilding Vision
The Bulls’ selection of Essengue reflects a long-term bet on youth and versatility. After a 39-43 season and a Play-In Tournament loss in 2024-25, Chicago is pivoting from a veteran-heavy core (Vucevic, DeMar DeRozan) to a younger roster, per NBC Sports Chicago. Essengue’s 6’10” frame, 34.1% three-point shooting, and 1.4 steals per game align with the NBA’s trend toward positionless basketball, where forwards like Siakam thrive, per The Ringer. His EuroCup highlights—including a 22-point, 8-rebound game against Joventut Badalona—showcase his ability to score in transition (1.18 points per possession) and defend wings to bigs, per Synergy.
Pairing Essengue with Buzelis (6’10”, 38.2% 3PT as a rookie) creates a dynamic, switchable frontcourt, addressing Chicago’s 22nd-ranked defensive rating (115.6) and 19th-ranked pace (97.8 possessions), per NBA.com. GM Arturas Karnisovas, under pressure after missing the playoffs four of the last five years, sees Essengue as a high-upside piece to complement Zach LaVine (24.8 points) and Coby White (19.1 points), per ESPN. Fans on X are optimistic: “Major upside like Matas? Frontcourt set for years” (@BillsMusee). With Vucevic’s $20 million contract expiring in 2026 and $54 million in 2025 cap space, per Spotrac, Chicago can build around its young core or pursue stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, per HoopsHype.
The Fan Divide: Why Not Derik Queen?
Despite the excitement, many Bulls fans are furious about bypassing Maryland center Derik Queen, a 6’10”, 246-pound big projected as a top-10 pick, per ESPN. Queen’s 18.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 58.4% FG in college made him a ready-made replacement for Vucevic, addressing Chicago’s 25th-ranked rebounding rate (48.2%), per NBA.com. Fans vented on X: “U NEED A BIG, THERES 3 AMAZING BIGS AVAILABLE AND U TAKE ANOTHER WING???” (@TheMidRangeNews) and “Why not Derrick Queen!??? What’re we doing Bulls… s— is embarrassing” (@MoneyManBern). The criticism targets Karnisovas’ front office, with @king1sed calling it the “worst in the league.”
The decision to pick Essengue over Queen reflects Chicago’s preference for versatility over traditional size. Queen’s post-heavy game (1.12 points per post-up) suits slower offenses, while Essengue’s mobility fits the Bulls’ push for a faster, defense-first identity, per The Athletic. However, Chicago’s lack of rim protection (4.8 blocks per game, 27th in NBA) and rebounding woes amplify fan frustration, as Queen’s size could have addressed both, per Synergy. The Bulls’ history of draft misses—Williams’ stagnation, no All-Star since 2017—fuels distrust, with 62% of an X poll (@BullsCentralX) favoring Queen over Essengue.
Strategic Implications: Bulls’ Long-Term Plan
Essengue’s selection signals Chicago’s commitment to a youth-driven rebuild. With Buzelis, Essengue, and White (24), the Bulls have a core under 25, projecting as a playoff contender by 2027, per CBS Sports. Essengue’s $8-10 million rookie contract, per NBA salary scales, preserves flexibility to re-sign LaVine or trade for a star, with Chicago holding two first-round picks in 2026, per Spotrac. Karnisovas’ gamble on Essengue’s upside—potentially a Siakam-like 20-point, 7-rebound forward—aims to mirror Toronto’s success with versatile bigs, per The Ringer. His EuroCup efficiency (56.2% true shooting) suggests he can contribute early, likely off the bench behind Buzelis and Vucevic.
However, risks abound. Essengue’s 194-pound frame may struggle against NBA physicality, and his 34.1% three-point shooting needs refinement to stretch the floor, per EuroCup Basketball. Passing over Queen or other bigs like Baylor’s Joan Beringer risks fan backlash if Essengue develops slowly, as seen with Williams’ 9.7 points over four seasons, per ESPN. The Bulls’ single pick in 2025 limits immediate roster fixes, though trade rumors involving LaVine and Chicago’s interest in players like Brandon Ingram, per HoopsHype, suggest potential draft-night moves. X fans debate: “Essengue’s a steal, trust the process” (@CalebFC18) versus “Another wing? Fire the front office” (@BullsFanHQ).
Fan and Analyst Reactions: A Polarized Chicago
The Essengue pick has split Chicago’s fanbase. Supporters see a future star: “Love this pick. Insane upside” (@CalebFC18), with the Bears and Sky celebrating on X. Analysts like Jonathan Givony praise Essengue’s two-way potential, comparing him to Grant for his defensive versatility, per ESPN. However, the anti-Queen sentiment dominates, with fans like @MoneyManBern slamming the front office’s “embarrassing” decision. A BullsCentralX poll shows 58% of fans preferred a big man, reflecting distrust in Karnisovas after a 39-win season. The backlash echoes criticism of past picks like Dalen Terry, who averaged 3.1 points in 2024-25, per NBA.com.
Chicago’s sports community rallies behind Essengue, with the Bears’ “Let’s get it!” post signaling unity, but fan frustration underscores broader issues with the Bulls’ direction. National analysts like Zach Lowe argue Chicago’s youth movement could pay off if Essengue and Buzelis develop into a Siakam-OG Anunoby duo, per ESPN. The draft’s fluid pick movement—Chicago potentially re-entering via trades, per ClutchPoints—keeps hope alive for addressing frontcourt needs. X posts capture the divide: “Noa’s our future!” (@BullsOptimistX) versus “Queen was right there, we’re cursed” (@ChicagoHoopsX).
Why This Pick Captivates Fans
Essengue’s selection is a social media lightning rod, blending hope for a breakout star with fury over missed opportunities. The Bulls’ X posts, showcasing Essengue’s EuroCup dunks and blocks, fuel excitement: “Welcome home, @NoaEssengue!” (@chicagobulls). Comparisons to Siakam spark optimism, with fans sharing his 22-point game highlights: “This kid’s gonna be special!” (@BullsVibesX). Yet, the Queen snub drives outrage, with memes and rants flooding X: “Bulls hate big men, it’s official” (@TheMidRangeNews). The narrative—Chicago betting on a French phenom while ignoring immediate needs—resonates with a fanbase desperate for a playoff return. As the draft unfolds on June 26, 2025, Essengue’s arrival keeps Chicago in the NBA spotlight.
The Chicago Bulls’ selection of Noa Essengue at No. 12 in the 2025 NBA Draft is a bold gamble on a 6’10” French forward with Siakam-like potential, joining Matas Buzelis to form a versatile frontcourt of the future. His 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in EuroCup play signal star upside, but bypassing Maryland’s Derik Queen has sparked fan outrage, with X posts slamming the “worst front office” for ignoring Chicago’s rebounding and rim-protection needs. Essengue’s fit in a youth-driven rebuild, backed by $54 million in cap space and future picks, offers hope for a playoff push by 2027, but his slight frame and the Bulls’ draft history fuel skepticism. As Chicago navigates trade rumors and fan debates, Essengue’s journey from Orléans to the Windy City promises drama, potential, and a polarized fanbase watching his every move.