The 2024-25 NBA season has been a rollercoaster for the Indiana Pacers. If the team experiences more lows than highs, they could find themselves well-positioned for the 2025 NBA Draft. After an inspiring trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2024 playoffs, the Pacers have struggled to meet heightened expectations. However, their underperformance could yield a silver lining: a chance to secure one of the top talents in a loaded draft class.
In a recent mock draft by Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report, the Pacers are projected to select French forward Noe Essengue from Ratiopharm Ulm. Essengue is currently averaging 13.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game in the German league. Tankathon ranks him as the fourth-best small forward in the 2025 draft class.
Essengue’s shooting splits are promising overall. He boasts a 57.0% field goal percentage and a true shooting percentage of 64.7. However, his 3-point shooting remains a concern—he’s hitting just 27.3% of his 1.8 attempts per game from beyond the arc.
Beyond the numbers, several factors make Essengue an intriguing prospect. At 6-foot-9 and nearly 200 pounds, he possesses great size and mobility for his position. As one of the younger players in the class, his upside and room for growth are significant.
While his physical tools and potential stand out, Essengue is relatively raw offensively. Continued improvement in this area will be crucial to his development as he transitions to the NBA. For the Pacers, Essengue’s blend of size, athleticism, and potential could make him an ideal addition to their roster.
