BY ÖZGE ÖVÜN SERT
The 2025–2026 NBA season marked a turning point not only for the Houston Rockets but also for Turkish basketball: Alperen Şengün—only a year after becoming the second Turkish player ever selected for the NBA All-Star Game—erupted into an unforeseeable force that shattered expectations, producing numbers that challenge and redefine the modern game. Once regarded as a promising European prospect, he has surged into the conversation as one of the league’s most dominant and versatile centers. For the Turkish American community, his rise has been a source of immense pride, proving that a young athlete shaped by Türkiye’s sporting culture can rise to global prominence in the world’s most competitive basketball league. Şengün’s story, however, is not the typical NBA fairy tale.His journey is marked by quiet perseverance, intense discipline, and unique path as he once described in his interview with Fatih Altaylı. Unlike many American prospects groomed through high-profile prep programs, Şengün was overlooked in early European scouting circles during the NBA Draft process in 2021. Many teams admired his solid skill set but questioned whether his unconventional style would translate to the NBA, and they hesitated. It was Houston Rockets that saw what others missed: a rare blend of creativity, basketball IQ and instinctive playmaking. Drafted 16th overall (via Oklahoma City), Şengün entered the league determined to prove he belonged here. Today, he has not only proved his worth — he has redefined what a modern pivot can be.
From Giresun to the World Stage:
A Childhood That Built a Champion Born in 2002 in Giresun, Şengün grew up as the youngest child in a modest and close-knit family. His father was a local fisherman, his mother a homemaker, and with an older sister 10 years his senior and a brother 8 years older, the family often struggled to make ends meet. His parents initially enrolled him in swimming, but Alperen was more captured by basketball—imitating his brother’s moves and spending hours practicing footwork that still defines his game today. At age 12, he took a life-changing leap: moving away from home to join Bandvit Youth Academy, one of the most renowned youth clubs in Türkiye. Living in a dorm, training intensely, and facing homesickness, Şengün developed not only technical skill but resilience and independence. Coaches from Bandvit still describe him as “the player who never once asked for a break” and “the most self-driven player to come out of Bandırma.” His move to Beşiktaş in the 2020–21 season became his breakout moment. At only 18, he dominated the Turkish Basketball Super League—winning the league MVP title, a rare accomplishment for a teenager. It was then that American scouts began to view him not just as a promising player, but as a future NBA star.
Emerging as a Leader for the Turkish National Team
Before making headlines in the NBA, Şengün showcased his talent on the international stage. With the Turkish National Team, he excelled in youth competitions, including a standout performance at the 2019 U18 European Championship, where Türkiye claimed the silver medal. Representing the senior National Team, Şengün has become an essential presence— bringing his post scoring, playmaking, and court vision to international competitions. In the summer of 2025, Alperen Şengün played a pivotal role in Türkiye’s run to finals at FIBA EuroBasket 2025 in Riga, Latvia. He consistently delivered high-level performances throughout the tournament, anchoring the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists, demonstrating the same versatility and composure that have defined his NBA career so far. His leadership and strategic thinking on the court helped Türkiye reach the championship game, marking one of the nation’s most impressive campaigns in recent European competitions.
NBA Breakthrough: A Pivot Putting Up Unthinkable Numbers
After that bumpy start, when his new career began in the NBA, nobody knew what to expect from him. But by his 5th NBA season (2025–26), Şengün—or Alpi, as he is nicknamed by teammates and fans—has fully transcended the traditional expectations of a “center” and transformed himself from a clever young role player into one of the league’s most elite and competitive centers. His mid-December 2025 stats show that he is averaging 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists per game—an extraordinary stat line for any big man, let alone someone playing center. In the season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 21, Şengün erupted for 39 points and 11 rebounds, a jaw-dropping performance that immediately signaled that he was no longer just a role player. Ironically, Oklahoma City —the same team that selected Şengün on draft night in 2021, only to trade him away— now found itself overpowered by the player it once let go. Alpi did not merely beat the Thunder that night; he dominated them, as if closing a long-open chapter of his career. That performance was no anomaly. As the season unfolded, Şengün continued to expose elite defenses with a rare blend of footwork, vision, and patience.
On November 16, his game against the Orlando Magic led his team to a solid win, while Alpi dropped 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists—highlighting how rare it is to see such all-around production from a center in today’s NBA. What makes these numbers even more astonishing is that he’s doing them while anchoring the paint,meaning he remains a true pivot—battling inside player, setting screens, directing traffic—yet producing the all-around stat lines of a superstar guard. For a center to simultaneously function as a scorer, rebounder, and primary offensive creator is considered unprecedented. Commentators across the NBA often remark that Şengün “thinks the game two steps ahead,” and his playmaking ability has drawn comparisons to elite European players such as Nikola Jokić. While many initially labeled him “Baby Joker” (a reference to Jokić), now they argue that Alpi is forging a style entirely his own.
His evolving game has prompted commentators to abandon the initial comparison and recognize that Şengün has a distinctive style that will continue to challenge the traditional norms of basketball. Several analysts predict that if he continues this trajectory, he may soon enter legitimate MVP discussions. The Rockets’ decision to commit to him long-term with a major contract extension further signals his trajectory. He is no longer the young prospect trying to prove himself—he is the centerpiece.
What’s Next for Alperen Şengün?
For Turkish Americans, Şengün’s rise is more than a sports story. It is a reflection of perseverance, cultural pride, and the limitless potential of young athletes bridging two worlds. He has become a role model for a new generation—showing that discipline, passion, and self-belief can carry a player from the courts of Giresun to the bright lights of the NBA’s biggest arenas. As the Rockets continue to develop a young and exciting roster, expectations for Şengün grow each year. Basketball experts across both continents predict that he has not yet reached his ceiling. With improved defense, continued leadership growth, and expanding offensive range, he could become one of the defining big men of the next decade. For now, one thing is certain: Alperen Şengün isn’t just representing Türkiye in the NBA—he is reshaping what it means to be a Turkish basketball star on the global stage. And for our community, his story is a powerful reminder that the American dream and the Turkish spirit can coexist—beautifully, in harmony, and with pride.
Sources for this article:
Fatih Altaylı ile Pazar Sohbeti: Alperen Şengün Interview StatMuse+2ESPN.com+2 Land of Basketball+1 CBS Sports+1 Lastwordonsports.com/basketball/ Profootballnetwork.com/nba/alperen -sengun-history-houston
