After a flamboyant 2023-24 financial year, Alperen Sengun begins his fourth season with the status of “franchise player” following his juicy contract signed with the Rockets, just before the resumption.
Alongside Jalen Green with whom he shares this rank, the Turkish interior welcomes the many eyes focused on him this season with a gentle mixture of serenity and ambition. “It’s good pressure. It's a pressure that stars can handle, you know. She doesn't make me uncomfortable, she makes me feel good. I can handle it. I'm one of the best players in the league.”.
Compared to Nikola Jokic for his ability to score near the rim, grab a lot of rebounds and find the right passes, “Baby Jokic” is aware and delighted to know that opposing teams are starting to adapt to him more and more. “I feel better, actually. I know it's easier for my teammates. It's always been like this. Now, people come to defend on me every time. It makes my teammates’ work easier, so I’m happy with it.”.
A statistical decline
For the opening game against the Hornets (and despite the loss), Sengun had compiled 25 points and 18 rebounds. A sign that the Texan pivot was already keen to confirm the “tranquility” that this new status gives him.
The double confrontation against Spurs, however, was revealing of the long road ahead this season for the Turk. After a lost duel against Victor Wembanyama where the Rocket had posted meager statistics (6 points at 2/8), the interior had underlined the importance of “rebound, play harder, play better”. Something half done since Houston won the second round in a match where the Turk remained below his averages (12 points at 35% shooting).
After four matches, Sengun displays lower statistics than last season (14.8 points at 38%, compared to 21.1 points at 51%). Apart from the rebound where the pivot is on the rise (12.5 against 9.3), this drop – little indicative of the start of the season – does not worry Ime Udoka. “Alpi was productive against a lot of players who defended him. And he will continue to do it against everyone. It has a unique panel that doesn't just depend on size or power and all those things.”.
With his sights set on a first selection for the All-Star Game and increasing statistical objectives, Alperen Sengun still has 78 games to allow the ambitious Rockets to grab a place in the play-in in the jungle of the West .
| 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 | 63 | 33 | 53.7 | 29.7 | 69.3 | 2.9 | 6.4 | 9.3 | 5.0 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 21.1 |
| 2024-25 | HOU | 4 | 28 | 38.6 | 50.0 | 68.8 | 4.2 | 8.2 | 12.5 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 14.8 |
| Total | 214 | 27 | 52.5 | 29.0 | 70.5 | 2.7 | 5.3 | 8.0 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 14.9 | |
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.
