Throughout the 2024-25 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2025 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.
Noah Penda
Position: Forward
Team: Le Mans (France)
Class: International
Height/Weight: 6'8", 225 lbs
Birthdate: January 7, 2005
Previous Team: JA Vichy (France)
Player Overview
Noah Penda is an NBA-ready forward with exceptional physical tools, defensive versatility, and a high motor. At 6'8" with a 7-foot wingspan, Penda is a dynamic presence on both ends of the court. Defensively, he is a standout player, excelling in passing lanes, protecting the rim as a weak-side shot blocker, and guarding multiple positions effectively. His energy, hustle, and rebounding instincts make him an invaluable team player who contributes beyond the box score.
On the offensive end, Penda flashes potential as a playmaker and three-level scorer. He demonstrates advanced vision for his size, making accurate reads and quick passes in transition and half-court sets. While his shooting mechanics and ball-handling require refinement, Penda’s combination of defensive prowess and offensive versatility gives him significant upside as a 3-and-D forward with playmaking capabilities.
"Penda’s defensive impact and physical tools make him a versatile forward. With continued offensive development, he has the potential to become a very good player." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst
Strengths
Defensive Versatility: Can guard multiple positions with quick hands, long arms, and excellent anticipation.
Energy and Hustle: Relentless effort on both ends, running the floor and crashing the boards consistently.
Playmaking Vision: Shows advanced passing instincts for a forward, particularly in transition and half-court sets.
Rim Protection: Leads with weak-side shot-blocking and disrupts plays in the paint with his length.
Physical Tools: NBA-ready frame and wingspan allow him to compete at a high level defensively.
Concerns
Ball Handling: Dribbles too high, leaving him vulnerable to turnovers against quicker defenders.
Finishing Consistency: Struggles to convert through contact, limiting his efficiency near the rim.
Shooting Mechanics: Needs a quicker and smoother release to improve consistency as a perimeter shooter.
Core Strength: Improving his balance and footwork will enhance his ability to finish drives and absorb contact.
Questions
Can Penda develop into a reliable shooter from mid-range and beyond the arc?
Will he refine his ball-handling to become a more versatile offensive weapon?
Can he maintain his defensive impact against NBA-level size and speed?
Bottom Line
Noah Penda’s defensive impact, energy, and playmaking potential position him as one of the most intriguing international prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. While his offensive game is still developing, his size, length, and versatility give him a solid foundation for a role as a 3-and-D forward with secondary playmaking upside. If he can improve his shooting consistency and ball-handling, Penda has the potential to thrive in the modern NBA.