Copyright Chicago Sun-Times
DETROIT – The fact that rookie Noa Essengue messed around with the G League Windy City Bulls on Tuesday and scored 28 points in 29 minutes of work did not go unnoticed. It also hasn’t changed anything. The rookie is still odd-man out when it comes to the frontcourt rotation with the big boy Bulls and has a lot more on his development plate than just lighting up the Wisconsin Herd. “I didn’t get a chance to see it but I did speak to a few people,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said Wednesday. “I actually spoke to Noa coming out of their preseason game about him staying really focused on the things we’re going to need him to do up here, the things that he does right now that will translate up here. I think sometimes you can get preoccupied with the scoring aspect of it. I know he had a big night offensively, but if he’s getting out of being out in transition, getting to the backboard, slashing, cuts, that’s great. I think we all know the shooting part of it needs to continue to develop, his body needs to continue to develop, but can he get things into the game we’re going to need him to?” There was very little he didn’t get against the Herd, also finishing with eight rebounds and an assist. Impressive, but a small part of the equation in his development. “I give him a lot of credit because he and I spoke before he went out on this assignment and that was kind of the messaging,” Donovan said. “It’s hard, right? Most of these young guys want to be playing somewhere rather than just sitting, so this was a good opportunity there with them, playing their first game and getting significant minutes.” The Bulls have a plan mapped out for the 12th overall pick and will continue to do that month-by-month. While Donovan didn’t know the exact dates, he did know that Essengue can expect a lot of back and forth the rest of November. “I do think there’s importance of him being with us,” Donovan said. “I know the opportunities haven’t really presented themselves with the players we have in front of him, so how do you really balance where he can get something out of being with us, maybe not totally in rotation, and also down in the G League getting more reps in that environment that can kind of help him with his growth? When we drafted Noa we knew there was going to be a big development piece to it.” As for Essengue and where he is mentally? He sounds just fine. He’s getting a lot of extra work in the weightroom and getting a lot of carbs crammed down his throat. “I don’t get down because I mean this is my job, that’s what I’m paid for.” Essengue said. “I’m just building up. Getting work in, lifting weights and they have specific food for me. I’ve got a chef that watches that.” See, everybody within the organization is watching him. Scan day Zach Collins (left wrist surgery) was scheduled to have a CT scan on the injury Thursday, giving the team a better idea of his return timetable. According to Donovan, if the bone is healed he could start basketball activity with the off-hand. Collins has been shooting and working on his conditioning throughout the injury. Friday Coby White (right calf strain) came out of the practice with Windy City with no setbacks and was scheduled for a full-contact practice with the main roster on Friday. The Bulls are still eyeing his season debut coming next week.
