Alperen Sengun reveals key success to ‘shut down’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, NBA teams may take notes

Alperen Sengun credits Ercan Osmani’s individual defense and reveals Giannis Antetokoumpo weakness

Alperen Sengun revealed the tactical approach that neutralized one of basketball’s most dominant forces.

Turkey’s defensive scheme combined individual assignment with strategic team help to disrupt Antetokounmpo’s usual dominance.

“I mean, we just put Ercan [Osmani] on him and helped as much as we could,” Sengun explained after the game.

“And Ercan did a great job today. Of course, Giannis is one of the best players in the world. And we just tried to help Ercan. I think we did a good job.”

Sengun specifically identified Antetokounmpo’s passing limitations as a key weakness Turkey exploited during their defensive game plan.

“He’s not a great passer. He’s an amazing player, you know, but he’s not a great passer. So we just tried to help and collapse on the paint,” Sengun added.

Turkey’s defensive blueprint offers lessons for NBA teams on how to stop Giannis

Sengun’s analysis could prove valuable for NBA teams, as well as for the Milwaukee Bucks under Doc Rivers.

The coach plans to make Antetokounmpo the primary ball handler next season due to the team’s lack of a star-caliber point guard.

Any NBA team could follow Turkey’s successful strategy of collapsing on Antetokounmpo while forcing him into playmaking situations.

Osmani, who drew the primary assignment on Antetokounmpo, delivered an outstanding two-way performance with 28 points while shooting 75% from three-point range.

He and Sengun, who is evolving beyond his ‘Baby Jokic’ comparisons, will lead Turkey in the EuroBasket 2025 final against Germany as they pursue their first continental championship.