Alperen Sengun

Alperen Sengun is a Turkish basketball player who currently plays as a starting center for the Houston Rockets. Hailing from Giresun, Turkey, Sengun started his professional basketball journey at the young age of 16 with the Bandirma Kirmizi junior team in 2018. His early success saw him lead his team to victory in the Turkish Junior League championship in 2019, where he was also honored with the league's MVP title.

At 18, Sengun transitioned to the Turkish Super League, showcasing his skills for the Teksüt Bandirma senior team. Despite modest averages of 5.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, Sengun's massive potential was evident. In the 2020-21 season Sengun truly announced his arrival in the basketball world when he guided Beşiktaş to the Super League championship with impressive statistics across various categories.

All these standout performances caught the attention of NBA scouts, leading to Sengun’s selection as the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, he was subsequently traded to the Houston Rockets. Since joining the Rockets, Sengun has demonstrated exceptional post-up skills, footwork, and court vision. Standing at an imposing height of 6 feet 11 inches, Sengun's versatility and basketball IQ have drawn comparisons to superstar Nikola Jokic.

Alperen Sengun is averaging 21.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game as of March 2024 in the 2023/24 season. These stats are massive improvements from the previous season which is why he is emerging as a strong contender for the NBA's Most Improved Player award in the 2023/24 NBA season.

Alperen Sengun Personal Life

Born on July 25, 2002, in Giresun, northeast Turkey, Alperen Sengun's journey into basketball began with a familial influence. At first his parents influenced him to pursue swimming as his main sport but Sengun was quickly drawn to basketball after witnessing his older brother's passion for the sport.

At the tender age of eight, Sengun embarked on his basketball journey, initially juggling both basketball and swimming endeavors simultaneously. However, Sengun ultimately made the decision to pursue basketball.

Alperen Sengun Contract

Alperen Sengun is set to earn $3,536,280 for the 2023/24 season. According to Sportrac, he agreed to a four-year rookie contract with the Houston Rockets, worth $15,550,974 with an average annual salary of $3,887,743.

Alperen Sengun Style of Play

Playing as a power forward or center, Sengun possesses a wingspan of seven feet which gives him a formidable presence in the paint. Even at a towering height of 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 meters) and weight of 243 pounds (110 kilograms), Sengun has a silky smooth footwork and agility. He is one of the most skilled and productive big men in the NBA who can also play ISO against the best of defenders. Moreover, he can also operate as a playmaker who can pass the ball with pinpoint accuracy.

Sengun is celebrated for his highly efficient low-post game. He utilizes a ton of moves including drop steps, spin moves, and fadeaways to outmaneuver opponents near the post. Furthermore, Sengun uses his elite passing abilities and high basketball IQ to orchestrate offense like a guard. His court awareness enables him to space the floor, and make plays within the flow of the game. He also has a brilliant sense of making pick and rolls plays happen that gets his team quick buckets.

While Sengun shines in on-ball offensive matchups against other big men, some analysts have questioned his overall defensive prowess. Nonetheless, his unique free-throw routine, where he speaks to the basketball, has garnered attention from NBA fans. Overall, Sengun's skillset draws comparisons to renowned European big men such as Domantas Sabonis and Nikola Vučević, as well as NBA stars like Kevin Love, Kevin McHale, and Tom Gugliotta. Sengun often cites Nikola Jokić as a major influence on his playing style as many NBA fans have started calling him “Baby Jokic.”