Noah Penda is a flexible French wing who has quietly risen into late first-round consideration within the 2025 NBA Draft following a robust season with Le Mans within the LNB Professional A. At 6’7″ with size, really feel, and defensive versatility, Penda is seen as the kind of low-maintenance, high-impact connector who matches seamlessly alongside stars. He makes sensible reads, performs unselfishly, and defends a number of positions — traits NBA groups covet in successful environments. With a mature flooring recreation, sturdy bodily instruments, and room to develop offensively, Penda affords each quick rotational worth and long-term upside as a contemporary two-way function participant.
Introduction to Noah Penda
Eric Guilleminault: Hello, I’m with Noah Penda, who performs with Le Mans and who has, entered the 2025 NBA draft. And I’m right here to ask ’em just a few questions. For the draft viewers that won’t know you so properly but, are you able to inform us about your background and about your basketball journey thus far?
Noah Penda: Yeah. Hello. My identify is, Noah Penda. I’m 20. I’m born in France I began basketball, at 9, in just a little membership in France. Then I went, to the place I began actually enjoying basketball at the next degree. we had been getting in your complete France. Then I went to Levallois the place, the membership simply received erased from the Professional A, for, finances issues.
After which I went to, the pôle espoir the place, we’ve the. Prime prospect, high gamers of the area, which is named, area îles de [France. so I played there my second year. So when I was U 14 to U 15, we did, half of the season there because, of the COVID. And then I entered, INSEP.
Then, I’ve played at INSEP for two years. Two two years, or one and a half year, because we had the end of COVID, so we couldn’t play in the U 18. So I went up with The category up where I played with, Ousmane Dieng, Armel, Adama Bal, some well-known players now then, I’ve come out in INSEP one year early. Because, I skipped a class, so I was like one year early in the class, so I was done. I graduated at 17, and Guillaume (Vizade) and Vichy at the time asked me if I wanted to turn pro after the end of my second year. So I said yes, after denying other options. And I turned pro. Played there for two years. And then, I ended up, playing in Le Mans, this year.
Eric Guilleminault: Great. Great. I have a few questions ‘because you went through a lot. One, let’s start earlier a little bit. In your early background.
Do you have any other athletes in your immediate or extended family?
Noah Penda: Yeah, both of my parents were, professional basketball players at a smaller level.
My mother played in second division. My dad played in third and fourth division. my little brother is, doing basketball right now and, yeah, that’s it.
Eric Guilleminault: Yeah. He plays that for U 18 in Paris.
Noah Penda: They just lost the final four yesterday. They won the third place, the third-place game.It’s a part of the process for him.
Eric Guilleminault: How proud are you as a big brother of him?
Noah Penda: I’m very proud. I try to. Be there for him. I try to teach him the low aspects of the game. He might not see or what the things that I haven’t been taught when I was younger. So, if he needs any questions, he calls me a lot.
I call him a lot. I watch every one of his games. I try to make him watch mines or watch basketball. So that’s, that’s, I have a great relationship with him. Great, great. And I’m just proud of what the athletes is becoming and the man, the grown man he is becoming too.
Eric Guilleminault: Now you did mention that you started basketball at an early age, like around nine And you look at your film and your game, you seem to be a very high IQ basketball player that moves, that cuts and moves without the ball. Do you attribute that to the early stages of learning of playing basketball? What do you attribute that you think to?
Noah Penda: I wouldn’t say that it’s because I started playing basketball early, but, when at first, I was like, really? Ball handler more of, so I had to know how to organize my team. My first coach I had was the one who really taught me how to.
Read the game be at the right spot at the right time. Made a good decision, make the good pass. And then after, when I grew up, and I started to go, with, playing with guys that were older than me, I had to knew, like my role arriving in a new team. So the superstar. That I had the ball, I had to find a way to be on the court without the ball.
And, especially at INSEP, my first year, it was a big part of why I was on the court. It was because I was able to contribute to a win without having the ball in my hands.
Eric Guilleminault: And you weren’t the oldest kid on the INSEP team, correct? You were like a year younger or a couple years at times when you first started at the INSEP?
Noah Penda: Yeah. I was the younger guy on the team, the youngest, and I was playing more than some of the guys that were already there yeah. Yeah, that was great.
Eric Guilleminault: Nice. do you think that can help you? At the next level in the NBA of learning have already played in a role where there’s people that are maybe older and more established, but you know how to find the, how to help the team.
Noah Penda: Yeah. I’ve watched, most of the rookies that were in the previous class, like the years before. And I know that when you arrive in the NBA, they are like a certain role you are going to have to play before they hand you the key, of the teams. So you have except if you are already like.
Choosing like LeBron was to be like the main guy on the team. The rookie, most of the times have to prove themselves, then become the guy they become after.
Eric Guilleminault: Can you tell us a little bit how you felt for your first pro experience at Vichy? Like how did that, like when you. It’s something new, right? It’s starting your pro career.
Noah Penda: Yeah. Oh, so the. There was, it was two very different years because my first year I was a bit shy.
The coach I have right now, told me that if I wanted something, I had to go get it myself. So that’s why he teach me very like. Quickly. That’s why I learned very quickly, even from the editor guy that were on my team, if you want something, you cannot wait for the coach or for the players that are on the court to give it to you.
You have to go get it. So I had to find ways, just like I did the previous series to be on the court without having the ball. So I had to grab rebounds, everything you need for a guy that won’t have the. The munitions, in these hands with the ball.
Eric Guilleminault: Nice.
Noah Penda: And then after my second year was a very different year and.
The team was like, organized, very in a diff very different way because, we had like a really, really young team. We had [player: Ilias Kamardine] and [player: Lucas Dufeal], who had been like two years older than me. older, sure. However we had been in the identical mentality. All new professionals, that wished to play. We had been simply hooping the second yr.
And that helped me rather a lot as a result of I haven’t had that feeling the place I used to be simply the younger man on the crew. I used to be part of the crew. I had a giant function within the crew, and I had many duty that had been handed to me. Simpler. Like simpler.
Eric Guilleminault: Okay.
I do know and then you definately transitioned from Professional B with Vichy to Professional A and after Guillaume Vizade, who’s the coach that you just’ve talked about, goes with you.
Noah Penda: Was he a part of the choice that you just went to the mall and the way is that relationship with him? I feel it’s simply An awesome relationship between a participant and a coach. He trusts me, I belief him.
He was the primary one to signal to Le Mans and he mentioned. To me, as quickly as I signed the primary participant I wished to convey was you. So I provide you with time to consider it. It was like, by means of the tip of the season, he mentioned, do you wish to come?
I’ll let you consider it. I assumed in regards to the different choices, and I used to be like, yeah, he know me. I do know him. I feel it’s going to be simpler to develop myself as participant and if I do know the coach, Sort of received my again. So it was simply nice. And in my second yr, I confirmed him that he wouldn’t must once more, hand me, the factor that I wished.
I needed to go get them. And I needed to show him that I used to be prepared for the duty that he wish to provide me on the subsequent degree.
Eric Guilleminault: Final yr you had declared for the draft, you probably did just a few exercises, together with in Portland.
How was that have for you and what did you study from it for this time round?
Noah Penda: the one necessary or all of the exercises?
Eric Guilleminault: Simply general, all of the exercises from final yr with NBA groups.
Noah Penda: It was simply a good time as a result of I assumed the exercises would’ve helped me to study shortly and faster than enjoying in Europe as a result of, the blokes that had been I used to be enjoying there have been like.
Youthful however extra bodily. So the sport was very totally different. Excessive depth at all times, the mentality just isn’t the identical. So that you get to study from everyone. Even the coaches or the gamers which can be my age or a yr or two older, It helped me to organize myself all through this yr to return again extra prepared within the subsequent yr.
So it was nice. And I knew I might ask her to, I had the chance to speak with the top coaches and the GMs there, so I knew [what they wanted me to improve during this season to be, more serious contend for the next draft.
Eric Guilleminault: What do you feel you’ve worked on since the last time they’ve seen you play?
Noah Penda: Obviously, I think my jump shot was a Big question. Last year, I’ve worked a lot on it throughout the whole summer, the whole year. I still have some progression to do on it. But I think it’s quite good. I wasn’t expecting to be a 40% shooter after being a 25, and now I’m a.
32 something (% from three). So I think it’s good the progression is there. It can be even better, the reason during the game because NBA game is like much faster than European game. The physicality. I had to work on my body a lot this year, to prepare for the next season. So I’ve learned a lot.
Yeah. And I’ve worked on lot and, I think I did a good job this year to improve myself as a player.
Eric Guilleminault: Now, before you started your season for Le Mans, you played with the U 20 team, Euro basket team. You hit you, you won the gold medal, which I’m sure is a great experience. I like you to describe that, but also you hit a quarter final game winning shot three at the buzzer against Spain.
Can you describe that shot and that feeling and also the overall experience?
Noah Penda: So let’s talk about the shot. I, it was just like meant to be me who threw the last shot because, in U 19 I had the same shot, during the same game, France, against Spain final. And I missed it. Not at the same spot, but it was the, I took the same shot, and, that specific game where I had the terrible game, I felt like in unit 19, I felt like I had, let my teammates down and it was like a horrible feeling during the whole year. Every [00:12:00] time I awakened and I had been going, I used to be going to the observe. I used to be like, rattling, I can’t.
This could’t occur anymore. So yeah, it helped me rather a lot to work. After which this yr, through the quarter finals, identical story occurs. I had a horrible recreation and I used to be like, rattling, it occurred once more. You realize what you get to do. And the primary choice was for an additional participant, however after the ball received kicked out.
And we had no outing left. So I had the and eye contact with my, with Guillaume, which was additionally my coach U 20. And he mentioned, I understood what he meant when he checked out me. He say, go get the ball and do your issues and the remainder we, we reside with what occurred. So I took the ball. And a time of the sport the place you don’t know what you’re going to do.
You simply go in autopilot and let your physique do the job for you. You don’t have to consider what you wish to do or what it’s important to do. [
Eric Guilleminault: Yeah. And for anybody who hasn’t seen the shot, it was NBA range right? Top of the circle shot, the defender was all over him and nothing but net it, it was a beautiful shot probably for that entire tournament.
Any play was probably the biggest play of the tournament.
Going back to, you switched from Pro B to pro A for the Americans in the audience. That have never seen the difference. Is there a big difference in level between Pro B and pro A in your opinion?
Noah Penda: I think there is a big difference of term of level and generally the individuals are a lot better employee, that’s for sure. But with that said. I think from my experience, way harder to play in Pro B and perform in Pro B than in pro A. Because in Pro B, you don’t got five guys on the court that can shoot
So when you have a drive and you got three other people on the court that can’t shoot. Everybody like shrink the floor and you have to make the right decision every time. And it’s more of a fight in Pro B. In pro A, you just have to, like, when you get a screen, the script is going to make you open.
You are going to be open. When you come out of screen. You just have to make the right reads. You’re going to be open at one time. On the court, you have to make the shots. It’s really like more, it’s cleaner in, in Pro A than in Pro B, but I think it’s harder in pro B to play.
Eric Guilleminault: Yeah. for the audience that, that doesn’t know this Friday, you’re playing in the playoffs versus Monaco who happens to be in the Euro League finals.
So that’s, you’re playing basically [00:15:00] the highest degree. European basketball. Good luck in that Playoff recreation. Thank
Noah Penda: you.
Eric Guilleminault: I do know you might have rather a lot happening, with The draft that as properly. How do you handle all that?
Noah Penda: I feel it’s it’s simple to handle it as a result of the draft goes to go properly and.
Goes to be good if I play good. I simply must concentrate on my recreation after which all the pieces that’s going to occur after goes to be properly, goes to comply with itself. So simply keep centered on one factor and the remainder will come aside.
Eric Guilleminault: Yep. Is sensible.
Enjoying Fashion and Strengths
Eric Guilleminault: For many who haven’t seen you play earlier than, are you able to describe your recreation to them?
Noah Penda: I feel it’s, it’s a bit arduous to say one factor that I do properly, as a result of I really feel like I can do something at any second. You place me in any groups, I’m going to search out one thing that I can do on the crew.
You need me to play level guard, all proper? I’m going to convey up the ball, set up the sport you. However then after you need me to play protection on the 4 or three positions, I’ll do it. I’m going to enhance in, within the catch and shoot. So on Good, if you wish to, in order for you me to do solely catch and shoot, I can do all the pieces.
However the factor that I do very properly is, clearly slashing. Like driving downhill, ending near the basket or diving, do the bigs which can be, when the bigs come to hill, discovering my teammates open. After which after play protection. I’ve improved rather a lot additionally, on that this yr.
And yeah, I can do all the pieces.
Eric Guilleminault: So after I see a few of your movie, I see that you just like utilizing your crossover and you want utilizing your spin. To get downhill. Do you’re feeling that’s one in all your go-to strikes?
Noah Penda: My spin transfer. I’ve been doing this since a very long time now. It was my first transfer that I’ve been, train after I was younger.
It’s simply pure. I don’t actually take into consideration, oh, you’re going to do the velocity transfer at the moment is simply, I do know when I’ve to do it and, I do it routinely and after I attempt to. Enhance a bit on, what else you are able to do if you find yourself just like the counter transfer.
Eric Guilleminault: For those who had been to inform NBA GM or a draft viewers or a coach, what’s the one factor that you just do this contributes essentially the most to successful?
Noah Penda: I feel it’s going to be, I’ll make the best choices. Prefer it’s simple to say that as a result of clearly that contain a variety of issues, but when I’m on the courtroom and the ball is coming to me. The correct determination goes to be made. If I’ve to shoot it, I’ll shoot it. If I’ve to cross it, I’ll cross it.
It’s simply this, I wish to win. So if I’m on the [00:18:00] courts, the issues that I’m gonna do is the issues we, I’ve to do to win.
Eric Guilleminault: Going with that, if I had been to speak to a teammate or a former coach of yours, how would they describe you or your recreation?
Noah Penda: I don’t know, however I’ve requested the questions one time to a participant after I was in Professional B and so they mentioned I used to be Mr. Do all of it. Okay. Swiss Military knife. Say what?
Eric Guilleminault: You’re a Swiss Military knife?
Noah Penda: Yeah, precisely. All of the instruments that Precisely. It’s, I feel it’s, it’s cool to play with me as a result of that when you want me to do something, I’ll do it and I’ll do it.
Noah Penda: Proper. So when you ask anyone, what it’s wish to play with Noah I’m certain they’re going to say he’s nice as a result of he can do something, all the pieces.
Eric Guilleminault: Whenever you watch movie, what do you search for?
Noah Penda: After I watch opponent, in fact, I’m watching what they do on the courtroom. I watch a variety of movies, on basketball, Euro League, Europe or NBA, it doesn’t matter. I watch all the pieces. However after I watch my movies. I watch all the pieces on movies. You may principally see all the pieces you wish to see, that you just won’t see when it’s reside motion.
I watch all the pieces, all the pieces. The factor that I do good, the factor that went dangerous, the factor that I might have improved, the place I might have been or ought to have been at that second.
Eric Guilleminault: Okay. What retains you motivated?
Noah Penda: I feel that’s simply all of the vitality I’ve put, because the begin and the vitality that I.
My household have put, and the belief they’ve put in me because the starting, they’ve made, an unbelievable quantity of kilometers to return to see me play. They’ve sacrificed generally, some holidays simply to return to see me play. They’ve taught the work, to return to see me play. I’ve handy again what they gave me, at the start of my profession.
Off-Courtroom Pursuits and Character
Eric Guilleminault: What are your largest pursuits off the courtroom?
Noah Penda: Curiosity?
Eric Guilleminault: Yeah.
Noah Penda: I wish to prepare dinner. I wished to be a chef after I was younger, so I haven’t had the chance after I was younger, however I wish to prepare dinner. I like science rather a lot.
I’m actually involved in how your physique works, how all the pieces work, the automobiles, the mechanics, or the, something that touches to science. I prefer it. Then, I’ve realized easy methods to play, the piano. I received it proper right here. How good. Generally I simply sit and begin to play good. It’s simply, a option to loosen up generally. And naturally, I received PlayStation additionally.
Eric Guilleminault: Yeah. when you had a free off day and also you weren’t allowed to play basketball, work out or practice. What do you suppose you’ll spend your time doing? I’m certain a few of the belongings you simply described, however when you had been, as a result of they’re like, can’t contact a basketball, you gotta give your physique some relaxation.
Noah Penda: [00:21:00] Yeah, do
Eric Guilleminault: one thing totally different.
Noah Penda: No, I can do something. I feel, I’m going to go and see household or pals, simply hang around having generally to do the issues that I’m not about to do after I’m within the season, due to course, I’m not like shut from dwelling. Whenever you received a short while to get some relaxation, you wish to spend it as a lot as potential, doing the issues that you just don’t have the chance to do, if you find yourself within the season.
Eric Guilleminault: Okay? Good.
Closing Ideas and Enjoyable Questions
Eric Guilleminault: Win an Olympic gold medal for France or win an NBA title. For those who might solely choose one in your profession.
Noah Penda: is hard. That’s a tricky one. It’s robust as a result of you are able to do each. You are able to do might, however when you
Eric Guilleminault: solely had one,
Noah Penda: nah, I feel Olympics as a result of, my mother will probably be like. Actually proud about me representing pals and having pals of on my jersey as a result of I do know it was a childhood dream for her.
Eric Guilleminault: Good and high two most used apps in your cellphone proper now. What’s your go-to apps?
Noah Penda: My, my go-to apps is Google Maps Actual each, in every single place I am going I want to make use of Google Maps to see how lengthy it’s going to take for me to go there.
The place it’s, what’s round. I actually use Google Maps rather a lot. After which, I say Snapchat as a result of that’s how I talk with my pals
Eric Guilleminault: Are you able to describe your self or in just a few phrases describe if anyone apart from basketball,
Noah Penda: Actually chill man, most of my teammates are going to say I’m annoying as a result of, I wish to joke rather a lot. I simply joke and music. That’s just about all my life and the way everyone sees me. After I arrive to observe. I’ve, at all times my music turned as much as the max quantity. So, everyone is aware of that I’m coming and after I joke, I’m chill.
I’m by no means harassed. Not fear about something, only a chill man.
Eric Guilleminault: Which is a contradiction. ’trigger if you see him on the courtroom, you’re excessive vitality, you’re getting deflections, on protection, you’re transferring in every single place. So it’s that yin and yang.
Noah Penda: That’s, I can’t be at that degree of depth each time.
Eric Guilleminault: So after I’m off the courtroom, I received to loosen up a bit. I thanks for being on and letting the NBA draft.internet viewers get to know you just a little bit higher.
Good luck on Friday in opposition to Monaco, and we look ahead to listening to about your future in professionals.
Noah Penda: Yeah, thanks. Thanks for having me. Thanks. Have day.
Interview hyperlink for youtube: https://youtu.be/641HdVpgx6k
