Billy Donovan explains why he isn’t rushing Rookie’s NBA Debut
Billy Donovan figured Noa Essengue would finally get his chance against the Denver Nuggets. The Bulls coach watched his team grind through a double overtime loss in Utah, board a late flight to the Mile High City, and prepare to face a powerhouse Nuggets group on almost no rest. It felt like the ideal moment for the rookie to step on the floor and log his first meaningful NBA minutes. He didn’t.
Billy Donovan says he talked to the staff before Denver game, and because of double OT in Utah night before he “was open to putting (Noa Essengue) in the game. Says the second unit played so well that “I just decided to go with those guys.” Essengue has yet to debut for Bulls.
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) November 20, 2025
Essengue is still the only lottery selection at 12th overall who has yet to see any real playing time this season.
Donovan said Essengue plans to rejoin the Windy City Bulls for their Saturday home game.
“He’s got to get physically stronger, and again, I haven’t given him the opportunity. I’m going off the preseason when I saw him out there,” said the Bulls head coach via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun times.
Roster Update: We have assigned Noa Essengue to the@WindyCityBulls pic.twitter.com/8AohhpywMh
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 21, 2025
“The pace and speed of the game, being able to guard multiple options with his feet, being able to play when he catches it against closeouts, I think those are going to be growth things that we need to focus on.”
Noa Essengue with the Windy City Bulls
A quick turnaround after Windy City absorbed its first loss of the season in a 156 to 128 matchup with the Iowa Wolves on Friday, where Essengue, on assignment from Chicago, led the scoring effort with 22 points while making more than half of his shots and collecting six rebounds.
Starting five for game 5️⃣ pic.twitter.com/1WTY5iQ9AI
— Windy City Bulls (@windycitybulls) November 22, 2025
Facing the Wolves on the second night of a back to back, the Bulls kept the game tight through the opening half, and Essengue’s 13 point surge in the second period helped trim the deficit to four by halftime.
Essengue benefits from the maturity he gained while playing professionally in the German League, a foundation that helps him stay grounded as he waits for a real opportunity. Donovan talks with him regularly to keep him encouraged through the dry spell, and he believes Essengue has the temperament to stay steady rather than letting the limited minutes wear on him.
“He’s really mature in a lot of ways. He knows this is going to be a process. At 18 years old, whatever his path will be, as long as he continues to keep the mentality where it is right now, he’s a good worker, he pays attention,” Billy Donovan added.
The post Billy Donovan explains why he isn’t rushing Rookie’s NBA Debut appeared first on ChiCitySports.
Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/billy-donovan-noa-essengue-debut
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