Alperen Sengun, the center for the Houston Rockets, has secured his second NBA All-Star selection after being named as the replacement for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the World team for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.
Houston Rockets’ Alperen Sengun replaced Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the World team for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2026
The Rockets’ young star has impressed during the season, establishing himself as a vital player in Houston’s lineup with strong performances that have earned him this prestigious recognition.
Strong Season Performance Fuels Rockets’ Playoff Push
At 23 years old, Sengun is posting averages of 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists over 44 games, maintaining an efficient shooting rate of nearly 50% from the field. He has been central to the Rockets’ success, who currently hold the fourth spot in the competitive Western Conference with a 32-19 record.
Known for his versatile inside-out skills, Sengun plays approximately 34 minutes per game, converting 8 of his 16.2 attempts on average. His ability to contribute consistently in scoring and rebounding has been a driving force behind the team’s pursuit of a high playoff seed.
Details on the New NBA All-Star Format for 2026
This year’s All-Star event introduces a fresh USA versus World format, organized as a round-robin tournament involving three teams with a minimum of eight players each. The top two teams based on their records will advance to the championship game. In cases of a three-way tie, point differential will decide who progresses. Each matchup will be limited to 12 minutes, making the games fast-paced and competitive.
Joining Sengun on Team World are superstar players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama. Sengun will serve as a reserve, sharing the roster with Deni Avdija, Jamal Murray, Pascal Siakam, and Karl-Anthony Towns. The team will be led by Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic.
Career Progression and Next Steps for Alperen Sengun
Since entering the NBA in 2021, Sengun has steadily increased his impact. He averaged 9.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in his rookie year across 72 games and made a solid leap as a sophomore with 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds. In the 2024-25 season, he became a full-time starter, improving his numbers to 21.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
Sengun will join fellow Rockets forward Kevin Durant, who is a member of Team USA Stripes, as part of the All-Star weekend festivities. This selection reflects Sengun’s rising stature in the league and momentum as a key player to watch in the coming years.
Houston Rockets' Alperen Sengun replaced Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the World team for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2026
