Rockets’ Star Continuing Success at FIBA EuroBasket

Rockets’ star Alperen Sengun saw his best-ever season last year. 

His on-paper stats in his fourth season weren’t quite as good as the previous year, seeing a few less points per game on less efficient scoring overall. But his much-improved defense — along with the team’s improvement overall — helped him to earn an All-Star bid. One the Rockets hope will be the first of many.

And still, the forward is just 22, and is certain to still see growth in his overall game.

This offseason, Sengun is participating in FIBA EuroBasket, and he’s been able to parlay his Year 4 success right over to two games with Türkiye.

He’s the team’s obvious star, with Cedi Osman and Adem Bona the only others actively on an NBA roster. And he’s been able to produce like one in his first two contests. 

In the first, Sengun added 16 points on 58% shooting, managing eight rebounds, seven assists and one steal and block apiece. Türkiye cruised by Latvia, 93-73.

In Game 2 versus Czechia, Sengun looked like one of the best players in the world, going for 23 points on blistering 8-for-9 shooting, adding 12 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and a steal. He was able to find his way to the line early and often, hitting seven of his 10 freebies.

He had a few eye-catching plays, including an especially voracious dunk near the end of the third quarter.