By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Houston Rockets’ rookie center Alperen Sengun has some pretty high ambitions that include rising up to a legendary status on both the Houston Rockets and the NBA overall.
“I’ll try to be a legend in Houston, I’ll try to be a legend in the NBA too,” Sengun said. He added that he also aims to one day become an inspiration for other basketball players, in the same way that some Turkish hoop greats have been an example for him. “I hope that in the future people will look up to me like I looked up to previous Turkish players.”
Sengun, the 2021 Turkish League MVP at 18 years of age, has been rather impressive in the NBA Summer League so far. The Turkish big man began the tournament by posting a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds along with four blocks in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was an exciting debut despite finishing with 3-10 from the field and committing five turnovers.
His shooting got a lot better in his second game and this resulted to a more productive output: 21 points on 8-14 shots plus three assists and, again, four rejections as the Rockets beat the Detroit Pistons 111 – 91.
The Rockets acquired Sengun with the 16th overall pick after a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.