CHICAGO – One season ago, Noa Essengue was a footnote. A second-round pick buried on the Chicago Bulls bench, derailed by a nagging groin injury and the weight of unmet expectations. Now, under the mentorship of former NBA big man Tiago Splitter, Essengue is nearly 100 percent healthy. He is rewriting his narrative as a rising star in the 2026 preseason.
The 2025-26 season was a write-off. Essengue played just 23 games, averaging 3.2 points and 2.1 rebounds. The Chicago Tribune labeled it a “lost season.” Fans and analysts questioned his fit in the NBA. The front office nearly gave up on the 20-year-old French forward, but his raw athleticism—a 7-foot wingspan and explosive leaping—kept them invested.
Then came Splitter. Hired as a developmental coach in June 2026, the former San Antonio Spurs center brought a tailored plan. “He’s nearly 100 percent now, and hungry to prove himself,” Splitter told SI.com. “His work ethic is night and day from last year.” Splitter rebuilt Essengue’s defensive IQ, footwork, and confidence—areas neglected in his rookie season due to a lack of structured mentorship.
The results are visible. In the 2026 Summer League, Essengue averaged 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. His shooting percentage jumped to 52.4% from 38.7% as a rookie. “He’s a different player,” a Bulls assistant coach said. “He’s not just running; he’s thinking.” The Bulls.com headline captured the narrative: “Noa Essengue’s second chance at a first impression.”
This is his redemption story. Essengue needed to overcome the stigma of a bust. He’s now silencing doubters with on-court results. The 2026 preseason has seen him log 18 minutes per game as a backup forward, providing defensive energy and rebounding off the bench. His projected role for the 2026-27 season: a rotational defensive specialist.
Splitter’s impact is measurable. Under his guidance, Essengue’s defensive rating improved from 118.2 to 104.7 in limited preseason minutes. “He’s learning to read plays, not just react,” Splitter said. “That’s the difference between a rookie and a pro.”
The road ahead is clear. Essengue’s long-term potential hinges on continued development under Splitter. His story parallels other late-blooming international prospects like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who thrived after structured mentorship. The Bulls’ front office is now projecting him as a core rotation piece for 2027.
For Bulls fans, the call to action is simple: watch Noa Essengue’s redemption unfold live. The 2026 season isn’t just a fresh start. It’s his long-awaited first real impression in the NBA.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Who is Noa Essengue?
- A: Noa Essengue is a 20-year-old French forward for the Chicago Bulls, selected in the second round of the NBA draft. After a disappointing rookie season, he is now making a comeback under the mentorship of Tiago Splitter.
- Q: What went wrong in Noa Essengue’s rookie season?
- A: Essengue played only 23 games in the 2025-26 season, averaging 3.2 points and 2.1 rebounds, hampered by a groin injury and a lack of structured mentorship, leading many to label it a ‘lost season.’
- Q: How has Tiago Splitter helped Noa Essengue improve?
- A: Splitter, hired as a developmental coach, rebuilt Essengue’s defensive IQ, footwork, and confidence through a tailored plan, helping him reach nearly 100 percent health and transform his work ethic.
- Q: What are Noa Essengue’s recent performance highlights?
- A: In the 2026 Summer League, Essengue averaged 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game, with a shooting percentage of 52.4%, up from 38.7% in his rookie year.
Extended Reading
For further context, the Chicago Tribune’s July 8, 2026 article details how the Bulls’ front office nearly traded Essengue before Splitter’s intervention. SI.com’s report confirms Splitter’s first-hand assessment of Essengue’s recovery, stating the forward is “nearly 100 percent.” The Bulls.com feature frames the season as Essengue’s “second chance at a first impression,” a narrative now backed by on-court data.