Chicago Bulls second-year forward Noa Essengue is turning heads at training camp, a dramatic shift from his difficult performance in the 2026 NBA Summer League. The 19-year-old's improved aggression and defensive effort have drawn direct praise from head coach Tiago Splitter. This internal development comes as the Bulls aim to shake off a recent 149-128 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on April 13, part of a 2-3 run in their last five games.
Essengue's summer league play was a clear disappointment, prompting a direct challenge from the Bulls' front office and coaching staff. He credits conversations with coach Tiago Splitter and executive vice president Bryson Graham for the turnaround. They told him to play freely on both offense and defense. Essengue said those talks helped him stop overthinking and just compete. He also points to daily battles in practice against teammates like Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis as a major catalyst for raising his level.
Splitter's tone has changed completely since July. After Essengue's first summer league game, the coach was openly critical. Now, he's highlighting the forward's intensity. "I really like the first few days of Noa," Splitter said. "He's being more aggressive. He's fighting every possession. Fighting, rebounding, protecting the rim. He's practicing well." The coach framed it as Essengue fighting for his spot on the roster, a challenge the player seems to be accepting.
Internal growth is essential for a Bulls team looking to climb the standings. A reliable contribution from Essengue, especially on defense and the boards, would be a significant boost. His progress could help stabilize a frontcourt that will be tested throughout the year.
The focus on development comes amid a period of mixed results for the franchise. Their recent form shows two wins and three losses, with consecutive defeats to end the season. Those include the 149-128 result against Dallas and a 103-127 home loss to the Orlando Magic on April 11. Before that, they secured back-to-back wins over the Washington Wizards (119-108 and 129-98). The organization is banking on its young core to turn those close losses into wins as they gain experience and players like Essengue find their footing.
