Alperen Sengun
Born 2002 · Age 23
Turkish professional basketball center for the Houston Rockets (NBA). Known for elite footwork and playmaking; drafted 16th overall in 2021; 2025 NBA All-Star.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Giresun, Turkey
Born to Kemal Şengün (a fisherman) and Ayşe Şengünbat in Giresun, northeast Turkey.
Started playing basketball
Chose basketball over swimming and began playing at age eight after being inspired by his older brother.
Joined Giresun University youth system
Began playing youth basketball with the sports club of Giresun University (played there until 2014).
Signed youth contract with Banvit (Bandırma)
Scouted by coach Ahmet Gürgen at a youth festival and signed a youth contract with Turkish club Banvit.
2018 FIBA U17 World Cup – 5th place (Turkey)
Member of Turkey's U17 squad that finished 5th at the event in Argentina.
Joined Bandırma Kırmızı professional team (TBL)
Began professional club career in the 2018–19 TBL second-division season with Bandırma Kırmızı.
2018 FIBA U16 European Championship – Bronze & All-Tournament
Played for Turkey U16, won bronze and was selected to that competition's All-Tournament Team.
2019 FIBA U18 European Championship – Silver & All-Tournament
Represented Turkey U18, won silver medal and was selected to the All-Tournament Team.
Moved to Teksüt Bandırma (BSL) – 2019–20 season
Joined the first-division Turkish Super League club Teksüt Bandırma. Also played in the 2019–20 FIBA Basketball Champions League.
Banvit U19: Turkish Youth League champion & MVP
With Banvit U19 won the Turkish Basketball Youth League championship and was named the league MVP.
Signed three-year contract with Beşiktaş
Signed a three-year deal with Turkish club Beşiktaş (announced 7 August 2020).
Joined senior Turkish national team
Joined the senior Turkey national team to play in the EuroBasket 2022 qualifiers (played Nov 2020 qualifiers onward).
Scouting recognition entering NBA Draft
Widely considered one of the most skilled big men in the 2021 draft class due to low-post efficiency and passing ability.
Announced entry to 2021 NBA Draft
Publicly declared he would enter the 2021 NBA draft.
Named Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL) MVP
After a dominant season with Beşiktaş, he was named the regular-season MVP of Turkey's BSL.
Selected 16th overall in 2021 NBA Draft (OKC); traded to Houston Rockets
Drafted 16th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder and immediately traded to the Houston Rockets for two future first-round picks.
Signed rookie contract with Houston Rockets
Officially signed with the Rockets on 7 August 2021 and joined the NBA.
NBA regular-season debut
Made his NBA debut on 20 October 2021 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals.
Rookie season totals & role
Rookie year: appeared in 72 games (13 starts), averaged 9.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.6 APG.
Scored 21 points & 14 rebounds vs Lakers
Produced a 21-point, 14-rebound performance in a 139–130 OT win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Then career-high 27 points vs Portland
Scored a then-career-high 27 points with seven rebounds in a win over the Trail Blazers.
EuroBasket 2022 — led Turkey in points & rebounds
At EuroBasket 2022 led Turkey with 16.8 PPG and 8.2 RPG; Turkey was eliminated in Round of 16 by France in OT.
Recorded 21 points, 7 assists and 19 rebounds vs OKC
Strong stat line (21 pts, 7 ast, 19 reb) in a 118–105 Rockets win.
Praise from Nikola Jokić
Nikola Jokić publicly praised Şengün's passing and playmaking (quote published 29 Nov 2022).
Youngest center with 1,000 points & 200 assists
Became the youngest center (20 yrs, 133 days) to reach 1,000 NBA points and 200 assists.
High-profile player praise (Durant, Paul George, Anthony Edwards)
Received public praise and favorable comparisons from Kevin Durant, Paul George and Anthony Edwards for his skillset.
First NBA triple-double (10-10-10) vs Kings
Recorded his first career triple-double (10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists); youngest in Rockets history to do so.
Historic 33-15-6-4 performance vs Lakers
Posted 33 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks — youngest Rocket with 30+ & 10+; youngest center with 30/15/5 statline in NBA history.
Second career triple-double vs Wizards
Recorded 21 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists; became youngest center in NBA history with multiple triple-doubles.
Finished sophomore NBA season as Rockets starter
Started 72 of 75 games, averaged 14.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.9 APG; gained high praise from NBA stars.
Season-career high 21 rebounds vs Charlotte
Grabbed a season-high 21 rebounds along with 14 points in a win over the Hornets.
Youngest center to reach 500 career assists
Became the youngest center (21 years, 99 days) to reach 500 assists in NBA history.
Youngest Rockets player with 2,000+ points, 1,000+ rebounds & 500+ assists
Reached a combined statistical milestone (2,000+ pts / 1,000+ reb / 500+ ast) at 21 years, 114 days.
Rockets exercised fourth-year team option
Houston exercised the team option on Šengün's contract, keeping him under contract into the 2024–25 season.
Scored 37 points vs New Orleans
Dropped 37 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists in a 106–104 win over the Pelicans.
Named NBA Player of the Week (1–7 Jan 2024)
Led the Rockets to a 3–1 week and earned his first career NBA Player of the Week honor (announced 8 Jan 2024).
37 points, 14 rebounds & 6 assists vs Utah (OT win)
Delivered 37/14/6 in a 127–126 overtime win over the Jazz.
Recorded triple-double vs Boston (21/12/10)
Posted his first triple-double of the 2023–24 season: 21 pts, 12 rebs, 10 ast vs Celtics.
Historic duo record with Jalen Green
Şengün and Jalen Green became the first duo in NBA history both 21-or-younger to record 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in the same game.
Career-high 45 points & 16 rebounds vs Spurs
Scored a career-high 45 points (surpassing Mehmet Okur's 43) and 16 rebounds while also recording 5+ steals in the game.
Recorded 23 pts, 19 reb, 14 ast (triple-double) vs Clippers
Notched 23 points, 19 rebounds and a career-high 14 assists — first center in NBA history with that stat line.
Sustained grade 3 right ankle sprain & right knee bone bruise
Injured in collision with Domantas Sabonis; left the game in a wheelchair and was expected to miss remainder of regular season.
Announced likely season-ending absence (regular season)
Team announced he would most likely miss the rest of the 2023–24 regular season with the ankle/knee injuries.
Signed five-year, $185 million contract extension
Agreed to a five-year extension with Houston worth approximately $185,000,000 on 21 October 2024.
Back-to-back triple-doubles (Nov 2024)
Recorded consecutive triple-doubles in November 2024 (including wins over the Clippers and Bulls).
Career cumulative NBA earnings reported
Public sources (Basketball-Reference) indicate he had made at least $15,550,974 through his NBA playing career by 2025; contract extension increases future guaranteed earnings significantly.
Reached 4,000 points / 2,000 rebounds / 1,000 assists milestone
Became the 16th player in NBA history to reach 4,000+ pts, 2,000+ rebs and 1,000+ asts in ~250 games; joined small list of similar all-around players.
Recorded 1,000th career assist (youngest center ever)
Reached 1,000 career assists, becoming the youngest center in NBA history to reach the mark.
Named reserve for 2025 NBA All-Star Game (first All-Star)
Selected as a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game — his first All-Star nod.
Returned from calf contusion with 24 pts & 20 rebs vs Nets
After a three-game absence due to a left calf contusion, posted 24 points, 20 rebounds and 4 assists in a loss to Brooklyn.
Key stretch: eight double-doubles & 12–1 team streak (March 2025)
Recorded eight double-doubles in March 2025 and helped Rockets to a 12–1 run, earning team top seed positioning.
Playoff debut — Game 1 of 2025 NBA Playoffs
Made playoff debut in Game 1 of the first round vs Golden State, recording 26 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals in a 95–85 loss.
Game 7: 21 points, 14 rebounds in first playoff series exit
Posted 21 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists in Game 7 loss to Golden State as Rockets were eliminated in seven games.
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