French Guard Jess Esso Essis Joins Cal Poly Men’s Basketball

French Guard Jess Esso Essis Joins Cal Poly Men’s Basketball

8/1/2025 9:39:00 AM | Men's Basketball

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Bringing experience from two French first division clubs, second-year Cal Poly head coach Mike DeGeorge announced recently that 6-10 guard Jess Esso Essis has joined the Mustangs ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Arriving at Cal Poly from LNB Élite club ESSM Le Portel after spending the 2023-24 season with Metropolitans 92, Esso Essis – a native of Le Mans – will have four years of eligibility remaining beginning with the upcoming season.

“We’re very excited to have Jess join the program,” said DeGeorge, who finished his first season in March by leading Cal Poly to the Big West Championship semifinals. “He brings unique size and length with a point guard skill set. Playing in the top professional league in France this past season has been great preparation for The Big West.”

Prior to his club tenure, Esso Essis captained his high school side – Lycée Simone Veil – to a bronze medal finish at the French National High School Championships.

An intended business administration major, Esso Essis’s twin brother – Ylan – is also a freshman a UC Davis.

Esso Essis is the seventh member of Cal Poly’s incoming 2025-26 class, joining junior guard Jake Davis, sophomore guard Hamad Mousa, freshmen guard Jason Scott and freshman forwards Braden Freeman, Austin Goode and Troy Plumtree.

Born in Angers, Esso Essis is eligible to represent Ivory Coast at international level.

Including from the United States, Cal Poly’s 2025-26 roster now represents eight countries with Esso Essis (France) joining fellow internationals Peter Bandelj (Slovenia), Austin Goode (Canada), Hamad Mousa (Qatar), Troy Plumtree (New Zealand), Luka Tarlac (Serbia) and Guzman Vasilic (Uruguay).