By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
Turkish superprospect Alperen Sengun said that his goal is to get to the NBA “as soon as possible” in order to further improve and grow as a player. The 18-year-old big man is eligible to participate in the 2021 NBA draft.
“Some people say for me: ‘Let him gain 1-2 more years of experience’ and some say ‘let him go as soon as possible and develop there. Actually, I want to go there as soon as possible and develop there,” Sengun said to Turkish Anadolu News Agency. “But I’m not thinking about the NBA right now. It confuses my mind, it has a negative effect on the games. I’ll take a look at this at the end of the season.” I don’t know what will happen. I can stay in Besiktas and participate in the Draft. I’ll decide at the end of the season, I’m focused here now.”
Sengun is arguably the most impressive player of his age in Europe right now, producing and contributing big in a major championship . He has been averaging a league-high 19.3 points, a second-highest 9.3 rebounds plus 2.4 assists in 28:9 minutes in the Turkish BSL to help a young Besiktas squad stay in the playoffs zone.
In the last Window of the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers, Sengun had a star performance of 24 points and 12 rebounds in a crucial win over Sweden.
“The national team is a great feeling,” Sengun said. “Turkey have failed in the [Olympic] Qualifiers so far. Maybe we can make a first and participate in the Olympics. We are a very good team. Shane Larkin has arrived, Turkish players take more responsibility in the league. They also play well in the national team.”
Sengun also talked about a workout he had with former NBA champion and All-Star Mehmet Okur.
“I had the opportunity to work with Mehmet Okur, this is very valuable,” Sengun said. “I’ve been talking to him for two years. I really wanted to meet. I really wanted to work with him before going to the NBA, participating in the drafts. It was a surprise to me that he came to Istanbul. We talked and worked. We did special training. We are still in contact. We will work hard again before summer. Before going to the NBA, I want to work with Mehmet Okur again. It is a great experience, I want to get those experiences. We will work harder. If the season ends early and he comes, it will be before the national team. I would love to work with him again.”