Alperen Sengun
Alperen Şengün, born on July 25, 2002, in Giresun, Turkey, is a prominent Turkish professional basketball player. Standing at 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) and weighing 110 kg (243 lbs), he primarily plays as a center. Şengün’s basketball journey began in 2012 within the Giresun University youth system, where he honed his skills until 2014. His professional career officially started in the 2018–19 TBL season with Bandırma Kırmızı in the Turkish Basketball First League. He continued his development with Teksüt Bandırma in the 2019–2020 season before joining Beşiktaş for the 2020–2021 season. His impressive performance with Beşiktaş earned him the Turkish Basketball Super League MVP award in 2021, a significant highlight early in his career. He was also recognized with the Milliyet Sports Awards’ Best Breakthrough Athlete award in 2022. The year 2021 marked a pivotal moment in Şengün’s career as he was drafted into the NBA. He was selected as the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shortly after being drafted, his rights were traded, and he began his NBA journey with the Houston Rockets, where he has played since the 2021–present season, wearing jersey number 28. His NBA debut was on October 20, 2021. Since joining the Houston Rockets, Şengün has steadily improved his game, demonstrating his versatility and skill. His rookie season (2021–22) saw him play 72 games, averaging 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. In his second season (2022–23), his numbers increased to 9.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game across 75 games. The 2023–24 season was a breakthrough for Şengün, as he continued to impress with 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in 63 games. The 2024–25 season proved to be a career highlight, with Şengün being named to his first NBA All-Star Game and making a playoff appearance. Throughout his NBA career with the Rockets, he has maintained strong defensive contributions averaging around 0.9 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. He is known for his footwork and playmaking ability, possessing a soft touch near the rim and a high field goal percentage. He has also shown flashes of a good mid-range jumper and is expected to develop into an effective three-point shooter. His low-post game is considered a unique aspect of his offensive repertoire. Alperen Şengün is still considered to be early in his career, with many anticipating his continued growth and impact in the NBA. At 22 years old, he has already achieved significant milestones, and his journey from Giresun, Turkey, to an NBA All-Star is an inspiring testament to his dedication and talent. He represents the growing international presence in the NBA and is frequently discussed among the league’s young superstars.
