Personal coach reveals what Alperen Sengun works on this summer, could help him be more like Nikola Jokic

Personal coach Djordje Sijan addresses Sengun’s shooting regression

Sijan revealed their primary focus centers on improving Sengun’s shooting mechanics after a notable decline last season.

The veteran coach has worked with Sengun since 2020-2021 and understands his development needs.

“I have been with Sengun since the 2020-2021 season every summer when he comes from the NBA. Last summer, we worked with the Houston staff because it was a critical year for the contract, but now I was alone with him for a month, then one month with the Rockets,” Sijan explained.

“We mostly worked on shooting… I went through Partizan’s school with centers, and I can say that Sengun is the best player with his back to the basket in Europe. In the NBA, they focused on where he is dominant, and he developed to perfection. But creativity was forbidden to him.”

Shooting percentages dropped significantly in 2023-24 season

Sengun’s field goal percentage fell to 49.6% last season from 53.7% the previous year. His three-point shooting struggled more dramatically, dropping to just 23.3%.

These numbers pale compared to Jokic’s elite 57.6% field goal percentage and 41.7% three-point accuracy.

Sijan believes the shooting struggles stemmed from coaching restrictions rather than ability limitations.

“I was asked in an interview, ‘What did you do with him?’ Nothing, I let him get off the shots from all possible positions. Some coaches don’t like it. But this year we worked mostly on the three-point shot. That shot was forbidden to him,” Sijan said.

“There is a lot of pressure on him to shoot more. In the NBA, the way modern basketball is played, he wants to be a center or a power forward who opens up the floor. We worked from the first day to the last, and he brought the mechanics of the shot to perfection.”

Improved shooting would make Sengun more dangerous and benefit Houston’s spacing, particularly creating room for Kevin Durant while adding another three-point threat to their offense.