Rockets Head Coach, Players Open Up About Alperen Sengun: ‘He’s Not Even Close To Reaching His Ceiling’

NBA reporter Kelly Iko of The Athletic spoke to Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and multiple players about Alperen Sengun.

Sengun, who is likely done for the season after suffering a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, established himself as one of the top big men in the NBA in 2023-24. 

“The talent level is real,” Udoka said. “It’s what you see on film and play against, and he’s taken a step as far as that. Competitiveness and going up against specific matchups right from day one. I think he’s improved defensively across the board, some of the things and challenges we’ve presented him with. He’s not even close to reaching his ceiling and has a ways to go, but he’s had a great year, and his future is bright.”

Sengun averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season while shooting 53.7% from the field, 29.7% from beyond the arc and 69.3% from the free-throw line. He recorded 29 double-doubles and two triple-doubles in 63 games. 

“It’s not like one thing,” Rockets guard and NBA champion Fred VanVleet said. “Just getting to know his personality on and off the court. A lot of times, who you are as a person kind of shines through your game. When you watch somebody from afar, you kind of see it but then when you get to know them, it makes sense. I see him coming with the full-length mink coats and all of that, he got that flair to him. He got swag to him, it’s more Euro than anything, but it’s been good to build a relationship with him. He’s a great dude and just wants to be great. Learning that part about him has been fun for me.”

Sengun has career averages of 14.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He was the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. 

The Rockets can sign Sengun to a rookie-scale extension this summer. All signs point toward that happening. 

“He’s very modest,” Rockets forward Dillon Brooks said. “Plays hard, he’s learning, he’s a sponge. I didn’t know how good he was until I started playing with him. He’s got more facets to his game, and he’s resilient. He’ll come back stronger.”