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Bulls' Noa Essengue Targets Summer League Return
The 19-year-old French rookie aims to make his debut after December shoulder surgery.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:53pm
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A cubist interpretation of a young basketball player's explosive energy and potential, reflecting the Bulls' hopes for Noa Essengue's return.San Antonio TodayNoa Essengue, a 19-year-old French rookie with the Chicago Bulls, has fully recovered from shoulder surgery in December and is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation. Essengue resumed individual contact training three weeks ago and is expected to rejoin the team for full practices by the end of April, with the goal of making his debut during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in mid-July.
Why it matters
Essengue was the Bulls' first-round draft pick in 2025 and was expected to play a key role for the team this season before suffering the shoulder injury. His successful return would provide a boost to the Bulls' young core as they look to build on a promising 2025-26 campaign.
The details
Essengue underwent shoulder surgery in December after sustaining the injury earlier in the season. He has been steadily progressing through his rehabilitation, resuming individual contact training three weeks ago, and is now aiming to rejoin the team for full practices by the end of April. The Bulls' coaching staff and medical team have been pleased with Essengue's recovery timeline, and they are hopeful he will be able to make his NBA debut during the Summer League in mid-July.
- Essengue underwent shoulder surgery in December 2025.
- Essengue resumed individual contact training three weeks ago.
- Essengue is expected to rejoin the team for full practices by the end of April 2026.
- Essengue is targeting a return during the NBA Summer League in mid-July 2026.
The players
Noa Essengue
A 19-year-old French rookie with the Chicago Bulls who was the team's first-round draft pick in 2025.
Chicago Bulls
An NBA franchise based in Chicago, Illinois that drafted Noa Essengue in the first round in 2025.
What they’re saying
“Noa Essengue has fully recovered from his shoulder surgery in December. He resumed individual contact training three weeks ago, and should resume team training by the end of April. He is ahead of his schedule, with the goal of making his big return with the Bulls during the Summer League in Las Vegas, in mid-July.”
— Maxime Aubin
What’s next
Essengue is expected to rejoin the Bulls for full team practices by the end of April, setting him up to potentially make his NBA debut during the Summer League in mid-July.
The takeaway
Essengue's successful recovery and return to action would provide a boost to the Bulls' young core as they look to build on a promising 2025-26 season. His ability to make his NBA debut during the Summer League would give the team and fans an early glimpse of his potential.
