DETROIT — Rookie forward Noa Essengue scoring 28 points in 29 minutes Tuesday with the G League Windy City Bulls didn’t go unnoticed.
It also hasn’t changed anything.
Essengue is still the odd man out in the frontcourt rotation 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,” 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 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?”
He also had eight rebounds against the Herd. It was an impressive display 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 Essengue, the 12th overall pick, and will implement it month by month.
Donovan didn’t know the exact dates, but he did know that Essengue can expect a lot of back-and-forth the rest of November.
“I do think there’s an 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 the 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.”
Essengue sounds like he’s OK with the Bulls’ strategy. He’s getting a lot of extra work in the weight room and taking in a lot of carbs.
“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.”
Scan day
Forward Zach Collins (left wrist surgery) was scheduled to have a CT scan Thursday, giving the team a better idea for his return timetable.
Donovan said if the bone is healed, he could start basketball activity with the other hand.
Collins has been shooting and working on his conditioning throughout the injury.
Coby news
Guard Coby White (strained right calf) came out of practice with Windy City with no setbacks and was scheduled for a full-contact practice with the main roster Friday.
The Bulls are still eyeing next week for his season debut.
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