Noa Essengue reflected on his rookie campaign during an end-of-season media session on Monday, April 13, focusing on development, injury recovery, and his planned offseason work. The forward discussed his shoulder issue, his learning process from the bench, and his preparation timeline for a potential return to full activity.
Essengue emphasized growth through adversity when asked about his approach to the season. “Yeah, for sure. I think that was a tough year obviously, you know, with my shoulder and all that, but I think that’s also helped me to just understand the game and I mean, when you’re on the bench, you see way more than when you’re on the court. So, I think that’s helped me a lot to just see how the NBA is and I think yeah, that was cool.”
Looking ahead to the offseason, Essengue outlined a broad development focus while still prioritizing health. “I think pretty much everything. You know, just try to get my shoulder ready for next season and yeah, just get a feel for basketball with the new shoulder. So, yeah, just try to work on every aspect of my game.”
He also provided an update on his rehabilitation timeline and short-term progression toward contact work. “I think in a couple weeks, like two, three weeks, I think.” He added, “I can do pretty much every movement free of pain. So, that’s been great.”
A key focus remains availability for summer league, which has been a target set alongside team medical staff. “I mean, that’s the goal right now. We was talking a lot with the doc and medical staff and that was a goal. Be ready for summer league.”
Essengue also addressed team dynamics after roster changes during the second half of the season, focusing on adaptation. “I mean, just try to stay positive. You know, that’s a lot going on, but just try to stay with the guys, with the new guys. You know, I got some fresh guys coming, so that was cool. And yeah, just try to build some friendship and yeah, just try to stay connected with the team management.”
On mindset through the rehab process, he stressed maintaining consistency regardless of circumstances. “I think pretty much everything,” he reiterated when discussing improvement areas, reinforcing a full-scale development approach.
Essengue closed by highlighting optimism around his recovery and future steps, tying his return plan to continued progression rather than short-term outcomes. “Yeah, I’m going to stay here most of the summer. I’m going back home for like once a week, but I’m going to stay here the whole summer for doing my rehab.”
