Noa Essengue - NBA Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

The French forward is one of the youngest players in this year's draft. Essengue is a dynamic forward who has shown improvement as a shooter throughout his playing career and can be a standout defender at the next level. It wouldn't be surprising if Essengue is a draft riser next month.

Essengue has a good interior game and has dazzled in the open court in fastbreak situations after creating turnovers with his length and instincts. He has put together some productive appearances of late with ratiopharm Ulm, including a 22-point effort on April 21. The Spurs have two first-round picks this year, so it remains to be seen which direction they'll go with here, but Essengue could be a good long-term fit.

Essengue is starting to turn things on in France, with multiple 20-point outings over the last month. The 6-9 forward is a terrific athlete who moves exceedingly well for his age. He'll be the second-youngest player in this draft class behind Cooper Flagg and is averaging 12 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks per game since Jan. 22.

The questions here are largely around his polish. The jumper is starting to fall, as he's made 35 percent from 3 in that window, but there are real mechanical issues regarding his base and balance that teams think will take a lot of time to work through, despite his solid touch. Additionally, while his defensive playmaking numbers are strong and he's shown improvement throughout the year, his overall impact on that end isn't all that high. He gets beaten more often off the bounce than you'd expect for this level of athleticism, and his help instincts waver. Still, he's a young player clearly coming along well regarding his development. Don't expect Essengue to be a valuable player next year in the NBA, but he could develop in time to be one of the better players in this draft class if he lands with the right organization.

Pro Comparisons: Jerami Grant

Big scoring outputs are becoming more common for Noa Essengue in the German BBL.

The easy baskets off rim runs, cuts and offensive rebounds have been consistent all season. But he's looking more comfortable converting off self-created drives and knocking down rhythm threes.

His improving on-ball skill and rising offensive production are becoming notable draft storylines, considering he's the draft's second-youngest prospect who also offers exciting defensive tools and movement.

Team Fit: Essengue already feels pretty Raptors-y. He's young, long and athletic, and he should shine in the open floor and do some interesting things on defense. He's also a work-in-progress shooter who lacks polish offensively. —Zach Buckley, NBA Analyst

Scouting report: One of the youngest prospects in this class at 18, Essengue has put together a terrific season in Germany and given himself a chance to be the first international player drafted. His size and versatility at forward aligns well with where the modern NBA is trending. He shows strong feel producing off the ball but also is capable of making plays in a pinch.

He needs to add a good amount of strength to his frame, but Essengue has the potential two-way impact teams are often eager to develop. Shooting well in workouts could vault him into the lottery, which will be in play depending on how the board falls. -- Givony

NBA intel and fit: With four picks in the top 40 and no real pressure yet to win just two years into a comprehensive roster teardown, the Wizards can go in a multitude of directions in this part of the draft, with all eyes first being on their selection at No. 18. -- Givony

Essengue is a huge forward who has already proven he can produce in a pro league despite being the second youngest player in this draft class. The French forward doesn't turn 19 until Dec., but he's enjoyed a good season in the top German league while showing off impressive defensive switch-ability and interior scoring touch. At 6'9 with a 9'3 standing reach, Essengue is a fluid athlete who can cover ground on the perimeter and wall up at the rim with his length. He runs the floor like a gazelle in transition, and can even shake some defenders with his handle as long as he's not facing ball pressure. His scoring efficiency (61.2 true shooting percentage) was phenomenal for someone so young in a pro league, which lends optimism to his offensive projection even if his shooting numbers from deep are a bit rough. Essengue is a bet on youthful production, physical tools, and motor. If a team can iron out his jump shot, they should have a lot to work with.

There's a cluster of smooth-moving, switchy big forwards in this draft (Izan Almansa, Asa Newell, Joan Beringer) who are all hovering in the same space, basically in a race to determine whose offensive flashes are worth betting on. Essengue was highly productive for an 18-year-old, but for all of his intriguing physical traits, it'd be nice to feel some confidence that he might shoot the ball. Otherwise, how to use him in efficient lineups remains tricky.

The teammate of aforementioned Ulm guard Ben Saraf, Essengue is also enjoying a breakout season overseas as a first-round big man prospect. He's made nearly 30% from 3-point range in an improvement on last season and carved out a significant role in a talented league at just 18 years old.

Essengue is a toolsy forward with a fluid handle, dynamic finishing package and highly versatile defensive skill-set. That's why he has significant appeal for the Hawks, because any team could use a 6-foot-9 prospect with upside across the board. But Essengue isn't a consensus top pick because his long-term ability hinges on the jumper clicking. Over three consecutive years, he's gone from a hackable nonshooter to a player making 24.4% of his 3s and 70.1% of his free throws. If it doesn't continue progressing, his defense must keep ascending to a level that prevents Quin Snyder from keeping him off the floor.