Alperen Sengun Bio
Alperen Şengün is a Turkish professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on July 25, 2002, in Giresun, Turkey, he stands 6 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 243 pounds. Listed as a power forward and center, he is known for his post skills, court vision, and creative playmaking, and he represents the senior Turkish national team. Selected as the 16th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, his draft rights were traded to the Rockets, where he has since developed into a two-time NBA All-Star.
Early Life and Background
Alperen Şengün was born on July 25, 2002, in Giresun, a city in northeastern Turkey. He is the son of Kemal Şengün, a fisherman and former point guard who played in Turkey’s first division in the late 1980s, and Ayşe Şengün. Although his parents wanted him to pursue swimming, he developed an appreciation for basketball after watching his older brother play.
Şengün started playing basketball at the age of eight and trained in both basketball and swimming, but eventually chose basketball because of the limited time available to train in both sports. He began playing youth basketball in 2012 with teams affiliated with the sports club of Giresun University, where he remained until 2014.
Path to Professional Basketball
After being scouted by head coach Ahmet Gürgen during a youth sports festival, Şengün moved to Bandırma in northwestern Turkey and signed a youth contract with Banvit on August 19, 2014. During the 2018–19 season, while playing for Banvit’s under-19 team, Şengün won the Turkish Basketball Youth League championship and was named the league’s MVP.
His performances at the youth level, combined with his height and skill set, drew the attention of professional clubs in Turkey. He also represented Turkey in international youth competitions, including the 2018 FIBA Under-16 European Championship, where he won a bronze medal and was named to the All-Tournament Team, and the 2019 FIBA Under-18 European Championship, where he helped Turkey win a silver medal and was again selected to the All-Tournament Team as the only Turkish player honored.
Alperen Sengun Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Alperen Şengün began his professional club career during the 2018–19 TBL season with Bandırma Kırmızı, a team competing in the second-tier Turkish First League. Over 29 games, he averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 21.9 minutes per game, shooting 47.6 percent from the field. His play earned him a move up to the top tier of Turkish basketball.
For the 2019–20 BSL season, Şengün joined Turkish Super League club Teksüt Bandırma. In 22 league games, he averaged 5.0 points and 3.9 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game, while also competing in the FIBA Basketball Champions League. Across 15 BCL games, he averaged 6.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.9 minutes per game, gaining valuable experience on the European stage.
Beşiktaş Breakthrough (2020–2021)
In August 2020, Şengün signed a three-year contract with the Turkish club Beşiktaş. He had an outstanding regular season in the Basketball Super League, averaging 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks in 28.3 minutes per game across 29 appearances. On May 12, 2021, he was named the BSL Most Valuable Player for the regular season.
On the same day he won MVP honors, Şengün announced his decision to enter the 2021 NBA Draft. Across 34 total appearances in the 2020–21 BSL season, he averaged 18.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 28.1 minutes per game, shooting 62.6 percent from the field. He also competed with Beşiktaş in the FIBA Europe Cup, appearing in three games and averaging 23.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 2.0 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game.
Houston Rockets Era (2021–Present)
Prior to the 2021 NBA Draft, Şengün was projected as a potential lottery pick but was ultimately selected outside the lottery with the 16th overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shortly after selecting him, the Thunder traded his draft rights to the Houston Rockets in exchange for two future first-round picks. On August 7, 2021, he signed a contract with the Rockets and made his NBA debut on October 20, 2021, recording 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three steals in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. During his rookie season, he appeared in 72 games and averaged 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
In his second season, Şengün became a starter and posted 14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game across 72 starts in 75 games. He set several franchise and league records, including becoming the youngest center in NBA history to record at least 1,000 points and 200 assists, and the youngest player in Rockets history to record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a game, surpassing a mark previously set by Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984. He also recorded his first two career triple-doubles that season.
The Rockets dismissed head coach Stephen Silas and hired Ime Udoka, who planned to build the offense around Şengün. In the 2023–24 season, he recorded a career-high 45 points and 16 rebounds against the San Antonio Spurs, surpassing Mehmet Okur for the highest single-game point total by a Turkish player in NBA history. A grade 3 ankle sprain ended his regular season in March 2024, and he sat out the rest of the year. On October 21, 2024, Şengün and the Rockets agreed to a five-year, $185 million contract extension.
In the 2024–25 season, Şengün was named a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, becoming the second Turkish player selected for the All-Star Game after Mehmet Okur in 2007. He helped the Rockets secure the second seed in the Western Conference and made his playoff debut in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, recording 26 points, nine rebounds, and three steals against the Golden State Warriors. The Rockets were eliminated in seven games.
Driving Style and Strengths
Şengün plays at the power forward and center position and is known for a versatile and highly efficient low-post game that uses drop steps, spin moves, and fadeaways. His passing ability is supplemented by an advanced feel for the court, allowing him to space the floor, set screens, cut to the rim, and make plays within the flow of the offense. He has cited Nikola Jokić as an inspiration, and his game has been compared to European big men such as Domantas Sabonis and Nikola Vučević.
Notable Events and Milestones
Şengün has set several historic records, including becoming the youngest center in NBA history to record at least 1,000 points and 200 assists, the youngest center with multiple triple-doubles, and the youngest player to reach 4,000 points, 2,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists in approximately 250 games. He recorded the highest single-game point total by a Turkish player in NBA history with 45 points against the San Antonio Spurs in March 2024.
Alperen Sengun Career Wins
Alperen Şengün’s career is marked by a steady climb through Turkish and European basketball into the NBA, where he has emerged as a two-time All-Star. His professional journey includes team championships at the youth level, league MVP honors in Turkey, and several historic statistical milestones in the NBA.
NBA Highlights
Şengün has been named an NBA All-Star twice, in 2025 and 2026, with his 2026 selection coming as an injury reserve for Team World. He has recorded multiple career triple-doubles and has set franchise records for the Houston Rockets, including becoming the youngest player in team history to achieve a triple-double and the youngest to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists.
His most recent NBA win came on February 2, 2026, when he tied his season-high with 39 points and added 16 rebounds and five assists to lead the Rockets to a 118–114 victory over the Indiana Pacers. He has continued to produce triple-doubles and milestone performances throughout the 2025–26 season.
Other Wins and Performances
At the youth level, Şengün won the Turkish Basketball Youth League championship in 2018–19 and was named the league’s MVP. He also won a bronze medal with Turkey at the 2018 FIBA Under-16 European Championship and a silver medal at the 2019 FIBA Under-18 European Championship, where he was selected to the All-Tournament Team. In 2021, he was named the Turkish Super League Most Valuable Player while playing for Beşiktaş.
Alperen Sengun Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Alperen Şengün was raised in Giresun, Turkey, by his parents Kemal Şengün and Ayşe Şengün. His father, Kemal, is a fisherman and a former point guard who played in Turkey’s first division in the late 1980s, providing a clear basketball lineage in the family. Şengün also has an older brother whose involvement in the sport helped spark his own love for the game.
Personal Life
Şengün’s parents originally wanted him to pursue swimming, and he trained in both swimming and basketball as a child before ultimately choosing basketball. Beyond his family ties to the sport, little additional personal information has been publicly confirmed about his life outside of basketball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season marked Alperen Şengün’s first season following his five-year, $185 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets. After a slow start that included a brief benching by head coach Ime Udoka, Şengün responded with strong performances, including back-to-back triple-doubles in November 2024. On January 30, 2025, he was named a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, becoming the second Turkish player in NBA history to receive the honor.
Şengün reached several career milestones during the season, including his 1,000th career assist on January 20, 2025, making him the youngest center in NBA history to reach that mark. He also became the 16th player in NBA history to record at least 4,000 points, 2,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists in approximately 250 games. In March 2025, he recorded eight double-double games, helping the Rockets achieve a 12–1 run and secure the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Şengün made his playoff debut on April 20, 2025, recording 26 points, nine rebounds, and three steals in a 95–85 loss to the Golden State Warriors. The Rockets were eliminated in seven games despite a 21-point, 14-rebound, and five-assist performance from Şengün in Game 7. His continued growth as both a scorer and a playmaker solidified his place among the league’s top young big men heading into the 2025–26 season.
