Noa Essengue may not be the flashiest name in the draft, but he checks all the boxes of a do-it-all contributor with long-term upside. Standing with ideal physical tools for a modern forward, Essengue thrives as a connective piece—someone who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to impact the game.

What makes Essengue so intriguing is his versatility. He’s a smart off-ball cutter, has a great feel for the game, and knows how to fill passing lanes and create opportunities without requiring much usage in the offense. 

A big swing skill for Essengue is his outside shot—and it’s trending in the right direction. His shooting numbers have steadily improved year over year:

* 2022–23: 16.9% from three, 49.6% FT

* 2023–24: 25.4% from three, 58.7% FT

* 2024–25: 32.0% from three, 67.9% FT

The form looks clean, and the progression suggests the shot could be a respectable weapon at the next level. If that happens, Essengue suddenly becomes much more than just a glue guy—he’s a fantasy asset with multi-category appeal.

High-end outcome: Pascal Siakam
Medium-end outcome: Nicholas Batum

His game has drawn comparisons to Pascal Siakam and Nicolas Batum, both known for their versatility and ability to stuff stat sheets. In fantasy formats, that kind of across-the-board production is valuable whether serving as a focal point of the offense or as a tertiary option.

Ideal fits include teams like Washington and Toronto, where his high feel, low-usage game could flourish and translate into early rotational minutes, Essengue deserves a close look. He may not start as a fantasy stud, but if the shooting continues to improve, he could end up as one of the most well-rounded contributors in this class.

Want to see more rookie scouting reports like this one for names like Egor Demin, Derik Queen and Cedric Coward? Use the link below to head over to our Patreon!

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