When the Houston Rockets landed on Alperen Sengun in the 2021 NBA Draft, many in the league thought they stumbled on good luck.
But, according to Rockets general manager Rafael Stone, there is no luck.
“We definitely saw it,” Stone said of Sengun’s potential. “We traded two first-round picks to get him, so if we don’t see a guy who can be such an influential player. Alperen, who is the MVP of 18 leagues. Only two people who have comparable success in the top league are Jokic and Luka, which is a good indicator, and I think it’s a good indicator and just watch movies, like him.
Sengun’s journey to the NBA has shown signs of greatness. By the age of 16, he was in the second division of Türkiye for the Bandirma Kirmizi professional competition.
Within two years, he dominated the Turkish Premier League. In 2021, at the age of 18, Sengun averaged 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.7 blocks, winning league MVP honors for Besiktas in 29 games.
“It’s tough, it’s tough. I’ve never seen him because he can’t do it.”
That determination has paid off. Sengun became an All-Star in his third season, finishing double-double for the first time in his NBA career last year. Looking back, Houston’s gambling was one of the best moves in the 2021 draft.
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