Noa Essengue shines again with Ulm and gets closer to BBL Finals
Noa Essengue (6’9″, 18 years old) continues to impress in the 2025 BBL playoffs. This Sunday, the young French big man was one of the key contributors to Ulm’s victory against Würzburg (99-86) in Game 3 of the semi-finals. Thanks to this win, the 2023 champions are now just one step away from the Finals.
WURNoa Essengue, solid as a rock
Game 3 confirmed what NBA scouts have been seeing for months: Noa Essengue is a special talent. In just 21 minutes of play, the Frenchman accumulated 17 points (5/9 FG), 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block, while showing great shooting efficiency (2/3 from three, 5/7 free throws). Though he spent long periods on an exercise bike on the sideline, possibly dealing with a physical issue, it didn’t prevent him from making an impact on both ends of the floor.
He was particularly decisive in the second quarter: when Würzburg was leading 27-26, Essengue raised his intensity both defensively and offensively, contributing to a 14-0 run that completely turned the game around (40-27). This run allowed Ulm to take control before halftime (48-37).
Projected Lottery Pick Noa Essengue had a strong performance in the German League Playoffs Today:
17 points
1 assist
9 rebounds
1 block
2/3 3PM (66.7%)
5/9 FGM (55.6%)
70.36 TS%
21 minutesAnother very promising display from the French prospect 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ud9P5zsETJ
— Draftstack (@TheDraftstack) June 7, 2025
Rebounding dominance and team management
Led by an all-around Karim Jallow (26 points, 7 rebounds), Ulm’s players dominated the paint: 53 rebounds to 26, including 20 offensive boards converted into 18 second-chance points. On the other side, Jhivvan Jackson (25 points), the season’s MVP, tried to keep Würzburg afloat, but the hosts’ depth and aggressiveness made the difference.
Despite still struggling from three-point range (6/24), Ulm’s players used their physicality to stifle their opponents and maintain control until the end, despite a slight scare late in the game (89-79 with 4 minutes remaining).
Revenge within reach
With this victory, ratiopharm Ulm now leads 2-1 in the series and has the opportunity to reach the finals as soon as Tuesday in Würzburg. An ideal scenario for a team that was eliminated at the same stage by the same opponent last season (1-3).
Noa Essengue continues to build his case for the 2025 NBA Draft. Another controlled performance and a finals qualification could definitively secure his projected spot in the Top 10.
𝔐𝔫 𝔡𝔢𝔯 𝔥𝔢𝔦𝔪𝔭𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔲𝔫𝔤 𝔨𝔢𝔦𝔫 𝔇𝔲𝔯𝔠𝔥𝔨𝔬𝔪𝔪𝔢𝔫 💪
Wir holen uns Spiel 3 und somit den Matchball für das kommende Auswärtsspiel. 🚀
📺 Alle Spiele der @easycreditbbl live und auf Abruf bei Dyn#uuulmer #weareone |📷 Harry Langer pic.twitter.com/macWp4AS69
— ratiopharm ulm (@ratiopharmulm) June 7, 2025
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