France’s newest top talents

The NBA draft has been flooded with French talent in recent years, and with a number of notable players in the 2025 class, it looks like this trend is here to stay.

Let’s shine a spotlight on the two best French prospects who have a chance to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft and thus keep their country’s presence alive in the NBA.

Nolan Traore is a potential top-five pick in this year’s draft and is widely considered the top international prospect in the class. He is an extremely crafty guard who can score effectively at all three levels. Traore has delivered exceptional performances at every level of the league, including a 45-point, nine-assist game at the U18 Adidas Next Generation Tournament against FC Barcelona.

His scoring ability is very impressive, but his playmaking and court vision could be the key to pushing him higher up the draft boards. While his court vision and ability to lead a team’s offense are evident, he tends to get overly aggressive at times, which can lead to unnecessary turnovers. As a young prospect, his productivity with room to grow is extremely tempting, despite some decision-making issues.

Traore may not be a flashy athlete, but he can make an impact on the defensive end with his timing and activity. He consistently racks up steals, and while he’s not a great one-on-one defender, that aspect of his game will likely improve once he gets stronger and is asked to play less offensively. That could solidify him as one of the first players off the board if he becomes more disruptive. His passing game and scoring ability seem primed to go, but adding this final piece could make things very interesting.

The guards at the top of the 2025 class are highlighted by standout players like Traore and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper. Scouts and fans are split on who should go first, but it will be fascinating to watch their progress throughout the upcoming season.

Noa Essengue is a tall and mobile forward who excels in the open court. He is still improving his game and will likely enter the league as a long-term project. His physical skills are extremely intriguing and could be worth the wait if he figures out how to maximize his effectiveness. He has good defensive instincts and a high motor, but this can sometimes lead to him losing control. Essengue averaged 13 points and seven rebounds per game last season and looks to improve in his second season with Ratiopharm Ulm in France.

Essengue’s upside is near the top of the 2025 draft class, and he has the potential to develop into an extremely versatile player if the pieces fall into place. His shooting form is solid, but he has struggled with consistency. Improving this aspect of his game should be a key focus in his development and could increase his draft value into the lottery range.

All signs point to Essengue being more involved in the upcoming season, which could boost his confidence and allow him to showcase more of his game against solid competition. Whether he’s asked to do more on offense or make a defensive leap if he can impact games more consistently, the buzz around him could be deafening.

The 2025 class is loaded with potential game-changing forwards, so Essengue will face stiff competition to climb the draft boards. His unique and versatile style of play is valuable in the NBA draft, but if he enters as a likely prospect, his draft range remains wide open.

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