Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun expressed remorse on Saturday after directing a sexist comment toward a female NBA referee during a Wednesday game. The incident occurred during Houston’s matchup against the Boston Celtics, where Sengun was ejected following the remark made to official Jenna Reneau.
Details of the Incident and Sengun’s Response
During the fourth quarter of the game against Boston, Sengun became frustrated after a no-call on a drive to the basket. The 23-year-old Turkish star called referee Jenna Reneau a b—- multiple times, which led to his ejection from the game. This was Reneau’s first season as an NBA staff official, and the comment quickly spread on social media after enhanced audio captured the exchanged words.
Reflecting on his actions, Sengun admitted,
“That was just in the moment, and I said some stuff I shouldn’t say, but I felt bad about it.”
He acknowledged his behavior as immature, saying it occurred in the heat of the moment. Sengun confirmed he approached Reneau following the game to apologize personally.
“Sometimes you can’t control yourself, but I should have known better,”
he said.
“But I fixed it and then I went to the locker room and I apologized. I shake (her) hand and said that would never happen again. It just happened in the heat of the moment. Then she understood, and it was good on both ends.”
Background on Sengun’s Career and Performance
Selected 16th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded to the Houston Rockets, Sengun has established himself as a key player for Houston. He earned his first All-Star selection last season and currently averages 20.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game over 43 starts this season.
Overall, Sengun’s career averages through 329 regular-season games include 16.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. His growing presence as a star center from Turkey has made him a focal point for the Rockets and a promising figure in the NBA.
Impact and Outlook Following the Apology
The incident highlights ongoing issues related to on-court conduct and respect toward officials, particularly female referees, in professional basketball. Sengun’s public apology and direct outreach to Jenna Reneau demonstrate acknowledgment of the seriousness of his comment. Moving forward, such incidents may prompt more awareness and stricter accountability within the NBA to maintain professionalism and respect for all staff members.
