AT JUST 18 years of age, Noa Essengue is one of the youngest players in the 2025 NBA Draft pool, but the Frenchman is one of the best high-ceiling bets available, and could prove a steal if he slides outside the top 10.

At six-foot-10, he is already bringing plenty of size as a forward who has a tight handle, adaptive defence and can finish at the basket in a variety of ways. Playing for Ratiopharm Elm, he averaged 14 points a game in the month of March, and continued to impress as the year rolled on.

Although his long-term shooting leaves a fair bit to be desired, he did hit seven triples later in the season, and has shown a conscious effort to become a more reliable option from behind the arc. His form certainly looks better, and he shot 70 per cent from the free throw line, which may not jump off the page but it is certainly better than his previous endeavours.

On the season, Essengue averaged 9.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks per game, which are impressive numbers considering he was doing it against professional players at just 18 years of age.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will run through some of the clearest comparisons to already established NBA talents, with Essengue looking extremely similar to other defensive forwards to come through the system in recent years.

Nicolas Batum – Los Angeles Clippers

This is purely a comparison on the defensive end, given Batum has made his name as quite the sharpshooter in the latter stages of his career. Also hailing from France, Batum has become one of the finest role players in the NBA over the past five years, making his mark as a three-and-D contributor on some winning teams. Like Essengue, his defence is not defined by his position, given both players have the ability to guard multiple positions and offer plenty of versatility on that side of the ball. Essengue does have the height advantage, but Batum is a better offensive contributor. However, both players are handy dribblers in their own right, and if the 18-year-old can work on his jumpshot throughout the course of his career, the similarities may grow.

Aaron Gordon – Denver Nuggets

Gordon is another player who has found their role within the NBA system and thrived in it, becoming a key part of a championship Denver Nuggets side over the past five years. Although largely known for his antics in the Dunk Contest, Gordon is a rock solid NBA player in his own right, contributing as a lob threat who can also defend all five positions and occasionally knock down long range shots. This sums up Essengue to a tee, and it would be a great result if the French prospect can thrive as well as Gordon has of late. Although Gordon’s athleticism is clearly more impressive given the highlight reel of dunks he has produced in the past, Essengue still has the potential to develop that side of his game, while the defensive versatility is eerily similar between the two.

Toumani Camara – Portland Trail Blazers

One of the surprise packets of the 2023 NBA Draft, Camara is one of the most important pieces on Portland’s roster and could be paired with Essengue come June. Selected with the 52nd pick of the draft, Camara is now a cemented starting member of the Trail Blazers, and was a key part of the team’s turnaround midseason with his improved offensive output and defensive intensity. Often tasked with guarding the best player on the opposing team, the Belgian is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, and at 24 years of age, still has plenty of development to come. Although Essengue is slightly taller and less mobile, both players are relentless on the defensive end, and if the Frenchman is still on the board when Portland is selecting, it could be a seriously good pairing.