(670 The Score) Bulls rookie forward Noa Essengue primarily wore jersey No. 12 while playing overseas, but he'll wear a new number in the NBA.
Essengue will wear No. 24 for the Bulls. It’s a nod to the late Lakers star Kobe Bryant, whose competitive nature is inspiring to Essengue.
“That means everything,” Essengue told the Mully & Haugh Show on Wednesday morning. “I love his mentality. Always working hard, no matter if you’re in a bad mood or a good mood, whether you play well or you play bad. Always go to the gym and work on every single aspect your game. And always compete. That’s the most important thing. On the court, off the court, I always want to win. So, that’s why.”
Essengue, 18, was selected by the Bulls with the No. 12 overall pick in the NBA Draft in June. He'll suit up for the Bulls in Summer League action in Las Vegas. The Bulls open their Summer League slate against the Raptors on Friday at 7 p.m. CT. The game will be televised by NBATV.