Latest news with #Haikyu!!'
Chicago Tribune
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Noa Essengue's family is never far away — even with the Chicago Bulls rookie halfway across the world
Noa Essengue doesn't need to look far to remind himself of the force driving him from Paris to Chicago. For the Bulls rookie, a simple glance at his wrist is enough. Before Essengue left home two years ago to pursue his first professional basketball contract in Germany, he inked two sets of numbers on the inside of his left wrist — the birthdates of his mother and brother — below the message 'Family is forever' in English. Through the loneliness and uncertainty of being a 16-year-old pro in a new country, they were all Essengue needed to keep grounded. And now they're providing the same anchor after he moved halfway across the world to play for the Bulls, who selected the 18-year-old Frenchman with the No. 12 pick in the NBA draft last month. For most of Essengue's life, it has been just the three of them. Ingrid, a math teacher raising two boys. Mathis, the older son by 5 years, trying his best to be the man of the house. And Noa, always dreaming of something a little bigger. 'They do everything for me,' Essengue told the Tribune. 'If I'm in a good mood, bad mood, if I need food, money, anything, they always give everything for me. Sometimes they don't have food for them, but they give me food. So I just want to give everything I've got for them.' The tattoos on Essengue's left arm reflect another truth about the rookie: He wants to be the one to tell his story. Before he ever fell in love with basketball, drawing offered a similar escape. He grew up doodling with Mathis and tracing his favorite manga characters from 'Naruto' and 'Haikyu!!' Over time, those sketches became more serious, taking the form of tattoo designs. Essengue knew he didn't want someone else's art on his body, so he drew up full-sleeve designs — a trio of crosses, Japanese lettering, a rose spanning the back of a hand. His first major design now spans from the base of his wrist to the inner crook of his elbow. It's an elaboration of a real picture: Essengue as a boy, the No. 12 on his back, standing at the bottom of a staircase leading into a skyline vista. In the tattoo, the steps at the base are cracked, a representation of his childhood challenges. The view at the top is bright, sunny. Happy. 'That's me,' Essengue said, tracing a finger across the image of himself gazing up toward something hopeful. 'You know, not from anything, but someday will be brought to the sky. Getting better every day.' Over the last six years, it became clear basketball would become the mechanism for Essengue to ascend that staircase. His path to the NBA moved quicker than those of many other top prospects in this year's draft. It took Essengue a little longer than other boys to find his way to basketball. He didn't start playing seriously until he was 11. Before that, he mostly chased after Mathis' favored hobbies, playing volleyball in the summers, swapping sketches after school. Essengue tried tennis and judo, but both sports left athletes on an island. He craved the keen drive of competition, but he also wanted to play on a team. Basketball brought that in droves. A responsibility to his teammates. A sense of belonging. 'You don't want to be all by yourself,' Essengue said. 'It was always more fun to play basketball with all my friends, with other people. That's really something that would take me to another level.' Basketball became natural. Essengue grew quickly, nearing 6-foot-9 in bare feet by the time he was 16. His sprawling hands corralled loose balls and wayward shots with ease. He rarely was the brawniest kid on the court, but he wasn't afraid to put a shoulder into a defender. And if he got a chance to make a break for it down an open court — well, at that point, he was already long gone. 4 questions for Chicago Bulls to answer in summer league, including where Noa Essengue will playEssengue was scouted by Orléans Loiret Basket Association, where he played his first three years of youth basketball. By 14, he had signed to play with INSEP, a developmental academy in Paris. Two years later, he moved to southern Germany to join Ratiopharm Ulm, a 16-year-old who spoke only rudimentary English — and no German. Ulm was a challenge. It also proved to Essengue that he was talented enough to compete at a higher level. He moved from the developmental third-tier squad to the senior team, then began earning starts. In October 2024, he received his first call-up from the French national team, validating an increased role — and impact — for Ulm. During those years in Germany, Essengue began to craft an image of himself as an NBA player. He took inspiration from Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam, lengthy wings who can put the ball on the floor and muck things up on defense. But for Essengue, one player stood out from the rest: Paul George. He's not alone in this preference. Second-year Bulls forward Matas Buzelis is also an acolyte of George, the 15-year NBA veteran who is a favored player among recent draftees in their late teens and early 20s. Part of the appeal for Essengue is George's stature as a two-way player — 'playing the right way,' as he described. He also hopes to emulate the smooth style that has defined George throughout his career. 'He's also got that fancy side,' Essengue said. 'Playing like that, it makes you feel cool.' Chicago Bulls rookie Noa Essengue weighs in on the Michael Jordan GOAT debate: 'Basketball changed with MJ'Essengue still carries himself with the unruliness of a teenager growing into his gangly size. Teammates and coaches reference his age relentlessly — if you haven't heard, he won't turn 19 until December. But there's a calm to him that his new team noticed during his first two weeks in Chicago. 'The one thing that stands out to me is just how mature he is,' Bulls summer league coach Billy Donovan III said. 'He's asking the right questions and he's been very engaged.' That confidence is mostly a credit to his years in the European professional leagues — especially in Ulm, where he left behind his childhood for good. Essengue was still a kid, but he had to learn to handle everyday life like an adult. He cooked for himself, squeezed in high school studies in the mornings. During stretches of boredom, he pulled out his iPad to work on sketches of his favorite 'One Piece' characters. Almost every night, he called his mom, who remained back in Paris, their childhood home suddenly quiet. By the time Essengue signed with Ulm in 2023, leaving was no longer a new phenomenon for his close-knit family. Mathis had left home five years earlier at 14 for his next level of education. It was hard on their mother to watch both sons move away so young. But it also never was a debate. Leaving was simply a necessity for boys with big dreams. 'She was always happy for me, happy for him,' Essengue said. 'We knew it was the right thing. She did everything for us, so she just let us live our dreams.' Chicago is even farther from home. But this time Essengue brought his mother on the journey. Ingrid accompanied him to draft night in New York and on his first tour of the Bulls facility, also joining him and the team on a private cruise of the Chicago River and lakefront. Over Fourth of July weekend, they walked to Navy Pier, craning their necks to watch the largest fireworks display either had ever seen. Essengue takes joy in these little moments he can provide for his mother. He takes even more pride in the larger gifts he soon can bestow on his family. Mathis will come to see his brother in Chicago once he finishes school in France. And upon signing his rookie contract, Essengue plans to have Ingrid retire. The rest of the NBA dream will come soon enough. Essengue makes his summer league debut Friday night in Las Vegas. In a matter of months, he could be playing his first minutes at the United Center. But for Essengue, the heart of his lifelong dream — offering his mother the steady support she provided to him as a child — is already close to being accomplished. 'I want to take care of her,' he said. 'If she needs something, now I am the one to give it. She can just do everything she wants. She doesn't need to be worried about anything. It's what she gave me and it's what I give to her.'
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
All active Roblox Volleyball Legends codes (June 2025)
Image via Volleyball Legends Volleyball Legends is an extremely popular sports game that you can play on Roblox, and it has particularly taken inspiration from the anime/manga series 'Haikyu!!'. Within the same, you have to head onto the volleyball court and engage in fun matches. To get free rewards in Volleyball Legends, you can end up using the different codes that are being made available by the developers. These codes are the perfect way to get in-game items without putting in much efforts. The developers release them occasionally, and they can directly be used inside the game. Here is a list of all the working codes for Roblox Volleyball Legends. Active Roblox Volleyball Legends codes to use for free rewards Use these codes and get free rewards (Image via Volleyball Legends) The following codes are currently working and can be redeemed to get free spins in Roblox Volleyball Legends: 900K_MEMBERS – 5x Lucky Style spins UPDATE_24 – 5x Lucky Style spins QOL – 5x Lucky Ability spins The codes have a tendency to expire after a certain period of time, which is why you must utilize them as soon as possible. Once redeemed, you can use the relevant rewards to get better in Volleyball Legends. To find out about the new codes, you can follow the developers on their social media handles, and also join the communities of the game. Expired Roblox Volleyball Legends codes These codes earlier worked but have now expired: 1M_Likes UPDATE_20 SEASON_3 TWINS_ARE_HERE SILLY_POTIONS RANKED_FIX RANKED_FIXING 200K_LIKES 400M_VISITS SEASON1 UPDATE5 TIMESKIP EASTER_EGGS TAICHOU_SHELLS 750K_MEMBERS SUPER_DIVE UPDATE_19 1.6_M_MEMBERS 1.7M_FAVS 650M_VISITS SEASON_3 SECRET_ABILITY PROTORI_50K UPDATE1 175MILLION_VISITS OP_LIBERO 2M_FAVS 1_MIL_FAVS COOKED 175MILLION_VISITS 850K_MEMBERS NEW_NAME PRACTICE_AREA RANKED_FIXING UPDATE_14 AURA KIMIRO_OUT UPDATE9 MADNESS 1.5M_FAVS 800K_LIKES 2X_SECRET_WEEKEND KIMIRO_OUT TAICHOU_SOON 15M_PLAYS 100K_INTERESTED2 UPDATE_18 ABILITY_FIX UPDATE8 UPDATE_16 SHUTDOWN_CODE2 350K_MEMBERS SILLY_POTIONS 1.5M_FAVS UPDATE_11 TWINS_REWORK 250K_MEMBERS TAICHOU_YEN NEW_TIMESKIP UPDATE_23 700M_VISITS KIMIRO_HEIGHT 80M_VISITS 100K_MEMBERS 500K_LIKES CHOPPED SHIELD_BREAKER BLOCKING 500K_LIKES SHUTDOWN_CODE EASTER KIMIRO_THICK UPDATE_22 600K_MEMBERS UPDATE_21 UPDATE6 GODLY_BLOCKER 100M_VISITS 10MIN_DELAY 40M_VISITS UPDATE_15 BACK_TILT BALANCE KIMIRO_SPEED KIMIRO_SET APRIL_UPDATE BIGGESTEVER UPDATE4 KIMIRO_ABILITY UPDATE_18_CRYSTALS NOTONTIME UPDATE10 SEASON_2 UPDATE2 FAST_MODE 100K_INTERESTED MOBILE_FIXES UPDATE3 200MILLION_VISITS UPDATE_12 KIMIRO_BLOCK KIMIRO_SPIKE KIMIRO_BOUNCY 180K_FAVS LAUNCH UPDATE_18_CRYSTALS 50M_Visits SANU_BUFF TIMESKIP_KAGAYOMO PROTORIONTWITTER DELAY_LEGENDS UPDATE_13 RANKED 250M_VISITS How to use Roblox Volleyball Legends codes You can follow the steps outlined below to use the Volleyball Legends codes: Open Volleyball Legends on your device. After the game boots up, you have to open the Shop menu and tap on the 'Codes' option that is located on its left side. A dialog box will appear asking you to enter the code. Upon doing so, click on the 'Use Code' button. Once the redemption is successful, you will receive the associated rewards in Volleyball Legends. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Haikyu!!: The ultimate volleyball anime that inspires and entertains
Haikyu!! has become one of the most beloved sports anime , captivating fans worldwide with thrilling volleyball action, powerful character arcs , and uplifting themes. The series follows Shoyo Hinata and his teammates on their journey to greatness, offering viewers inspiring lessons on perseverance, teamwork, and growth. It's a perfect blend of high-energy sports action and emotional storytelling, making it a must-watch for anime fans and sports enthusiasts alike. Shoyo Hinata's journey to greatness in Haikyu!! At the heart of Haikyu!! is Shoyo Hinata, a young volleyball player with an unwavering determination to prove himself. Despite being shorter than most players, Hinata's passion for the game drives him to overcome his physical limitations. His journey begins in middle school when he faces off against the talented Tobio Kageyama. Although he loses, the experience only strengthens his resolve to improve. Hinata's story takes him to Karasuno High School, where fate brings him back together with Kageyama, his former rival. Their contrasting personalities create an exciting dynamic, and together they form a powerhouse duo. As they grow as teammates, their bond deepens, and their teamwork reaches new heights, adding an emotional layer to every victory and defeat. Friendship, rivalry, and growth One of Haikyu!!'s most powerful themes is the importance of friendship, rivalry, and personal growth. The series showcases how teamwork is essential to success and highlights the struggles and triumphs of each character. As Hinata evolves, his teammates, like Kageyama, Daichi, and Tsukishima, also undergo significant growth, making the story about more than just one person. The fierce rivalries between Karasuno and teams like Nekoma and Seijoh bring intensity to the plot. These matches are not just about winning—they represent overcoming personal challenges, building relationships, and developing as athletes. Fans are drawn into these rivalries, witnessing the characters' dedication and resilience, making every match feel deeply personal. Electrifying volleyball matches Known for its high-octane volleyball action, Haikyu!! keeps fans on the edge of their seats throughout every match. The series doesn't just focus on the physical aspects of volleyball—it also delves into the mental and strategic challenges players face. Each game tests the characters' strength, intelligence, and ability to work together as a team. The animation brings each serve, spike, and block to life with incredible detail, making every moment feel intense and real. But what truly sets Haikyu!! apart is how it balances the excitement of the sport with the emotional stakes of the characters. Every win and loss feels significant, leaving viewers rooting for their favorite players with every point scored. Haikyu!!: A legacy of inspiration Since its debut, Haikyu!! has inspired fans around the world with its uplifting themes of perseverance, teamwork, and friendship. The series transcends sports, teaching viewers that growth is a journey, and the relationships we form along the way are just as important as the victories we achieve. Its impact goes beyond the anime world. Haikyu!! has become a source of motivation for many, encouraging people to push past their limits and work together to achieve common goals. As the story continues, the series proves that the heart of sports anime lies not just in the competition, but in the strength of the human spirit.
