It’s never easy for a young European midfielder to establish himself in the NBA, and Nikola Jokic can attest to that. While he has often been compared to the Nuggets center, Alperen Sengun seems to be following the same path.
After two seasons of learning to lose and playing with crunchers, the Turk has clearly taken a step forward to the point of being the Rockets’ best scorer, but also the best rebounder and the second passer! A few days ago, he even became the youngest pivot in NBA history to reach 500 career assists. In front of whom? Nikola Jokic obviously.
Sengun equals Olajuwon’s passing record
A Sengun who had the luxury last night of dominating Domantas Sabonis with 17 points, 12 assists and 8 rebounds in three quarters! In the process, he equaled Hakeem Olajuwon’s passing record and in his wake, the Rockets won a third game in a row. At the club for three seasons, the young interior can testify that the Rockets have changed.
“Right now, we’re playing like animals! » he blurted out. “Beyond the wildness, everyone plays hard and physical. Everyone helps each other, and no one will score easy baskets for us. We return to defense. We’re doing everything right now. We have to continue like this all year round, and we won’t let anyone push us around again! »
A coach proud of his players
After three games to find their feet, the Rockets seem to have integrated Ime Udoka’s message since the team defends much better on outside shots, and it limits the points conceded on counterattacks. The choice to “switch” on defense is physically demanding, but it pays off.
“I loved our aggressiveness from the start” comments Ime Udoka. “They arrived wanting to impose their physique, trying to increase their pressure, and we managed it well. In a way, we gave them back their change. I loved everything we did to respond to the fight, taking the first blow, but responding well. »
| Alperen Sengun | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | HOU | 72 | 21 | 47.4 | 24.8 | 71.1 | 1.9 | 3.5 | 5.5 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 9.6 |
| 2022-23 | HOU | 75 | 29 | 55.3 | 33.3 | 71.5 | 3.2 | 5.8 | 9.0 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 14.8 |
| 2023-24 | HOU | 5 | 33 | 58.0 | 40.0 | 53.3 | 2.6 | 6.0 | 8.6 | 6.0 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 18.4 |
| Total | 152 | 25 | 52.5 | 28.3 | 70.8 | 2.6 | 4.7 | 7.3 | 3.3 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 12.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
