The 2025 NBA Draft will begin on Wednesday, June 25. The league will go through the entire first round, with the second round being held on Thursday.
The draft will be the starting point for a new class of rookies. With this being such a momentous moment in their lives, some of the prospects were invited to attend the NBA Draft in person and take in the action from the green room. This would allow them to hear their name called, celebrate with friends and family, and walk out on stage in the hat of their new team to shake hands with the NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
For many players, being invited to the green room is a significant honor, especially if they have a strong sense that they are going to be a highly sought-after prospect who won't have to wait long to hear their name called. Noa Essengue is expected to be a top 10 pick in the draft. He is from France, but has been playing in a German league. His team in Germany was actually in the playoffs and on the way to the finals, but Essengue decided to leave the team and instead turn his attention to the NBA and the Draft.
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Here is more on why Essengue left his German league team, despite it being on a finals run.
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Why did Noa Essengue leave German league?
Because of the schedule of his German League team, Ratiopharm Ulm, Essengue wasn't able to schedule any private workouts. His team was in a best-of-five series against Bayern Munich for the league championship. Essengue was invited as one of 19 players to attend the NBA Draft in the green room.
Essengue was asked about his decision to leave. He said that he had faith in his teammates to finish strong, but that the NBA Draft could be the best day of his life, so he felt he had to be there.
Noa Essengue on his decision leaving Ulm during the German BBL Finals for the NBA Draft:
— Yoav Modai (@Yoav_Modai) June 24, 2025
“The draft is really special, that’s maybe the best day of my life. I trust my teammates, I know they’ll do their job”.
On Ben Saraf: “He’s a first round pick”. @sport5il pic.twitter.com/VWho1mvNMz
What team does Noa Essengue play for?
Noa Essengue played for Ratiopharm Ulm. The team plays in the German league Basketball Bundesliga. It was founded in 2001 and was promoted to Basketball Bundesliga in 2006. Ratiopharm Ulm won the league championship in 2023.
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Noa Essengue NBA Draft
Essengue is expected to be a top 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Our Gilbert McGregor has him being selected ninth overall by the Raptors. ESPN's Jonathan Givony agreed, while Yahoo's Kevin O'Conner has him falling to the Wizards at No. 18. CBS analyst Adam Finkelstein has Essengue being selected with the 12th overall pick by the Bulls, but The Athletic's Sam Vecenie has him 11th to Portland.
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