Ime Udoka shares his pointed comments which helped Alperen Sengun to play with harder edge
Alperen Sengun has emerged as the Houston Rockets franchise star since being drafted in 2021. The six-foot-11 Turkish center continues to evolve his game under the watch of coach Ime Udoka as the Rockets enter its first resurging year since the departure of former MVP James Harden.
Udoka, who has coached the defending champions Boston Celtics in the NBA finals, shared that he advised Sengun to be a tougher version of himself, especially against some of the most imposing big men in the league.
“My biggest thing with him is that I say, 'Take the European out of your game. Play with more intensity. Stop crying,'" Udoka said after the Rockets’ victory against the LA Clippers on Monday.
“Continue to be a physical presence on both ends of the court," Udoka emphasized. "Focus on the things you can control, such as looking to score rather than seeking fouls, playing through contact without waiting for a call, and not letting missed shots affect your performance on the other end of the court."
Sengun has been highly regarded by the Rockets coach, putting up an offense that taps on his brute strength and basketball IQ. While the 22-year-old Sengun continues to scratch his potential, Udoka wants to push his star center more as he calls for him to be a more consistent player on the offensive end.
"They attacked him every time he was in the post tonight, and he found his teammates. That’s why we got so many open shots. Some nights will be about scoring; others will be about facilitating. He needs to be able to do both," Udoka said.
Sengun has been averaging 18.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game as the Rockets are third in the Western Conference standings with a 16-8 win-loss record.
Alperen Sengun breaks one of Nikola Jokic’s record
In the game versus the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 3, Alperen Sengun made history, becoming the youngest payer to record 900 assists at 22 years and 131 days old. He beat out reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who did the feat when he was 23 years and 18 days old.
Sengun finished that game with 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists, albeit in a 120-111 loss against the Kings.
The week before that, Sengun was named the Western Conference’s Player of the Week on Dec. 2, as the Rockets have won four of their last five games in November.
Alperen Sengun has long been the focal point of the Rockets, which also boast a bevy of young players such as Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Amen Thompson. They also possess the presence of veterans, such as Fred Vanvleet, Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams.