Aggregate 2025 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: The best power forwards available

Essengue boasts elite athleticism, a 7-0 wingspan, and impressive mobility for a forward. The 18-year-old French prospect (second-youngest in the class) shows tantalizing potential as a transition weapon (1.467 PPP, 93rd percentile) and explosive finisher (68.7% at rim), while his defensive versatility allows him to switch across multiple positions. While still raw offensively, Essengue has shown recent growth as a shooter (35% 3P since January) and plays with an infectious motor that translates to rebounds (4.9 RPG) and defensive playmaking (1.5 combined steals/blocks). However, his game remains unpolished – inconsistent shooting mechanics, limited creation skills (0.862 PPP spot-ups), and defensive lapses (1.029 PPP allowed) currently cap his impact.

An international scout told HoopsHype: “Noa Essengue is a name you have to mention just for how wild it is, but he’s also a really good athlete with clear physical tools. He had a great preseason showing against the Blazers, and by the end of the year, he started to hit some threes after struggling earlier. I do like the late-season shooting splits, but I don’t know how much to trust the sample size. He has tools you can’t teach – athleticism, ground coverage, and the ability to rebound. But I worry about his ball skills – he might have trouble with physicality at the NBA level, and I’m not sure he has the skill set to play on the wing. He’s probably one of the lightest forwards in the league to start, so he’ll need to get stronger and develop more skill to take advantage of mismatches. At the end of the day, it’s about whether he can stick as a versatile defender who covers ground, but there are definite questions about his offensive fit.”