Sports · Basketball · 4 hrs ago
Bulls Back Essengue’s Development as Buzelis Adjusts to New Role
The Chicago Bulls are giving Noa Essengue time to develop after a shoulder injury ended his rookie season after two games.
The 2025 draft’s 12th pick is now averaging 14 minutes across six games, and coach Tiago Splitter sees potential in his defense.
Chicago picked up Essengue’s third-year option last month, keeping him in the team’s plans as it rebuilds.
Meanwhile, Matas Buzelis has had fewer chances to contribute as offseason changes have shifted his role and crowded the offense.
The starting lineup has fit awkwardly, but Splitter says he will wait and judge whether to change it as the season develops.
Nic Claxton will miss the game at New York with a strained left hamstring, though he has had no recovery setbacks.
The Chicago Bulls believe Noa Essengue can develop into a productive player despite a shoulder injury that cut short his rookie season.
Coach Tiago Splitter praised the 19-year-old’s defensive movement but said he is still learning to compete at the highest level.
Essengue is averaging 14 minutes per game in six games this fall, his first chance to contribute since the injury.
Matas Buzelis has had fewer offensive opportunities as the Bulls adjust roles following offseason changes.
Splitter said he has no fixed timetable for changing the starting lineup.
- Who
- Noa Essengue and Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls players, are central to the story.
- What
- The Bulls believe Essengue can develop into a productive player, while Buzelis adjusts to a role with fewer offensive opportunities.
- When
- The report was published on November 5, 2026. Essengue was selected in the 2025 draft.
- Where
- Chicago.
- Why
- Essengue is returning from a shoulder injury that ended his rookie season. Buzelis’ opportunities have been reduced amid changes to the team’s offense and lineup.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Chicago selected Noa Essengue with the 12th pick.
Essengue suffered a shoulder injury requiring surgery, ending his season after two games.
The Bulls picked up Essengue’s third-year option.
Essengue averaged 14 minutes per night across six games.
- Draft selection
- 12th pick in the 2025 draft
- Rookie season
- Ended after two games because of a shoulder injury
- Playing time
- 14 minutes per night in six games this fall
- Age
- 19
- Contract option
- Bulls picked up Essengue’s third-year option last month
What people are saying
He’s one of the best sliders, if a word existed for it
I think he can be a tremendous player one day in this league.
I don’t think I have a number for that.
It’s not always easy to lose