Alperen Sengun Witnessed the Unexpected Late-Night Moment He Discovered First All-Star Selection

Sengun, thinking it was nothing urgent, reportedly opened one eye to glance at his phone. Instead of silence, he saw a flood of notifications.

“You’re an All-Star! You’re an All-Star!”

The moment marked another milestone in what has quickly become one of the most unique rises in the league. Sengun was officially announced as an All-Star replacement for the 2026 game, joining teammate Kevin Durant and giving Houston its first All-Star duo since James Harden and Russell Westbrook in 2019-20.

Though his berth looked hazy, given Sengun’s altercation with the referee. However, it was history in its own. The 23-year-old became the first Turkish player to appear in multiple NBA All-Star Games, advancing his standing as one of the league’s most versatile young big men.

Additionally, earlier in the year, he also became just the second player in league history to reach his career totals of points, rebounds, and assists through 300 games while adding both steals and blocks to that profile.

Alperen Sengun Led Rockets’ Brigade Alongside Kevin Durant At NBA All-Star

Sengun was not alone representing Houston in Los Angeles. Kevin Durant, selected for his 16th All-Star appearance, joined him as the Rockets placed two players in the midseason showcase for the first time in six years. 

Durant is averaging 25.8 points while shooting 51% from the field and 40% from three, anchoring Houston’s push to fourth in the Western Conference.

In the revamped round-robin format, Sengun and Durant even faced each other briefly. Durant logged productive stretches, including a late buzzer-beating three in one matchup, while Sengun contributed rebounds and playmaking in limited minutes.

The weekend also pushed players into a different kind of energy zone, with players competing harder than in recent editions. Though Team Stars ultimately ran away with the title, Houston’s presence was firmly felt.