Chicago Bulls forward Noa Essengue has pledged €20,000 to the ACES association, a non-profit organization founded by French rapper Kery James in 2008 to fund higher education for underprivileged students.
The donation will be awarded this Sunday at the Accor Arena, as the 19-year-old NBA rookie makes a large philanthropic contribution.
The connection between the professional athlete and the long-standing educational initiative was facilitated by Essengue’s agent, according to Kery James. Essengue committed to the project immediately after his agent presented the request, a decision linked to his mother’s background in the educational system. His mother, who has a background in the education system, will serve on the selection jury for the 2026 scholarship cycle.
The ACES initiative, which stands for “Apprendre, comprendre, entreprendre et servir,” has supported approximately 150 students with nearly €300,000 in funding since its inception. Kery James said that the association operates independently of public subsidies, relying entirely on external donors to sustain its mission. Essengue joins a roster of prominent French athletes who have backed the project, including Evan Fournier, Florent Malouda, Nabil Fekir, and Franck Ribéry.
“He accepted immediately,” Kery James told RMC Sport regarding the initial outreach to the Bulls forward. “I didn’t even know he was only 19 years old. It’s incredible. I have sometimes solicited people who didn’t want to participate even though they are older, with experience and even children. A 19-year-old says yes and puts his hand in his pocket. It really impressed me.”
| Contributor | Professional Background | Scope of Involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Noah Essengue | Chicago Bulls (NBA) | 2026 Scholarship Donation |
| Franck Ribery | Professional Football | Multi-year support |
| Evan Fournier | Professional Basketball | Previous Scholarship cycle |
| Nabil Fekir | Professional Football | Rhône-Alpes edition |
While Essengue focuses on his career, Kery James maintains a long-standing interest in combat sports, including grappling and MMA.
James also offered a sharp assessment of heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane ahead of his UFC 334 title defense against Josh Hokit in New York. “Technically, he is impressive. He moves almost like a lightweight. It’s a fighter with a very advanced fight IQ,” James observed.
As the scholarship award ceremony approaches this Sunday, the focus remains on the tangible impact of the €20,000 donation. While Essengue will be represented by his brother at the Accor Arena due to his professional obligations in Illinois, the commitment establishes a new bridge between the current generation of French NBA talent and domestic social initiatives.
The question remains how the association will scale its operations, with James expressing an interest in expanding the ACES model to Africa in the coming year.
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