Alperen Şengün is a Turkish basketball player who has gained attention for his performance at a young age and made a significant breakthrough in the NBA. Playing as a long forward and center, Şengün has rapidly advanced his career by achieving important milestones both in Türkiye and on the international stage. Selected in the 2021 NBADraft by the Houston Rockets, Şengün has quickly established himself in the league with his playmaking abilities and interior effectiveness. In the 2024–2025 season, he was selected as an NBAAll-Star, becoming the second Turkish player to reach this level.

Early Life and Basketball Beginnings

Alperen Şengün was born on 25 July 2002 in Giresun, Türkiye. From a young age, Şengün showed interest in basketball and began his youth career with Bandırma Basketball Club. He stood out in youth categories due to his physical strength, interior dominance, and basketball IQ. He took his first steps into professional basketball by playing for Bandırma Kırmızı and Teksüt Bandırma. In the 2020–2021 season, Şengün transferred to Beşiktaş, where his outstanding performance attracted widespread attention. He completed the Turkish Basketball Super League (BSL) season with averages of 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, earning the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. This success enabled NBA teams to take notice and paved the way for his selection in the 2021 NBADraft.

NBA Career

Houston Rockets Era and Adaptation to the NBA

Alperen Şengün was selected 16th overall in the 2021 NBADraft by the Oklahoma City Thunder but was traded shortly afterward to the Houston Rockets. In his rookie season (2021–2022), Şengün began establishing himself on the court as a young player. Noted for his court vision, passing ability, and effectiveness near the basket, he finished his rookie year with averages of 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.

In his second season (2022–2023), Şengün improved his performance and became one of the Houston Rockets’s core players. He ended the season with averages of 14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, emerging as one of the team’s most important contributors. During this period, his passing skills and offensive versatility drew comparisons to Nikola Jokić, making him one of the most notable players in the league.

Alperen Şengün

NBA All-Star Selection and Recent Achievements

In the 2024–2025 season, Alperen Şengün elevated his performance to a new level. As one of his team’s most consistent players, he increased his contributions in rebounds, assists, and scoring. This performance earned him a selection to the 2025 NBAAll-Star team. Şengün became the second Turkish player to be named an NBAAll-Star. The first Turkish player to achieve this was Mehmet Okur, who was selected in 2007.

Şengün’s All-Star selection holds significance not only as a personal achievement but also as a symbol of the rising stature of Turkish basketball on the international stage.

Playing Style and Impact

Alperen Şengün is regarded as one of the few versatile long forwards in modern NBA basketball. His effectiveness in post-up play, passing ability, and court vision make him a major offensive asset to his team. Additionally, he continues to develop as a rim protector on defense and contributes significantly through his rebounding. Şengün is often compared to high-post players like Nikola Jokić and Domantas Sabonis due to his elite passing skills. His offensive versatility plays a crucial role in the Houston Rockets’s youth-oriented roster construction.

International Achievements and National Team Career

Alongside his NBA career, Alperen Şengün is also a key player for the Turkish National Team. Şengün successfully represented Türkiye in junior age categories and now competes internationally with the senior national team. He has delivered impressive performances wearing the national jersey at the European Championship and the FIBA World Cup, proving himself one of Türkiye’s leading basketball talents. Despite his young age, Şengün has shown rapid development and become a significant player in the NBA. By being selected to the 2025 NBAAll-Star team, he has achieved an important milestone both personally and for Turkish basketball. He has the potential to build a major career in the NBA in the years ahead. His status as one of the Houston Rockets’s leaders and his representation of Türkiye on the national team level reflect not only his individual success but also the rising prominence of Turkish basketball on the global stage.