Alperen Şengün Bio
Alperen Şengün is a Turkish professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on 25 July 2002 in Giresun, Turkey, he plays the power forward and center positions and has emerged as one of the most skilled young big men in the league. Standing 6 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 243 pounds, Şengün is recognized for his post play, court vision, and creative passing. He was selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft and was named to his first NBA All-Star Game in 2025.
Alperen Şengün Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Alperen Şengün was born on 25 July 2002 in Giresun, a city in northeastern Turkey, to Kemal Şengün, a fisherman and former point guard who played in Turkey’s first division in the late 1980s, and Ayşe Şengün, a homemaker. Although his parents initially encouraged him to pursue swimming, he developed a preference for basketball after watching his older brother play.
He began playing basketball at the age of eight and initially trained in both sports. However, due to practical constraints, particularly the limited time available to train adequately in both, he ultimately chose to focus exclusively on basketball. In 2012, Şengün began playing youth basketball with teams affiliated with the sports club of Giresun University, where he remained until 2014.
Path to Basketball
After being scouted by head coach Ahmet Gürgen during a youth sports festival, Şengün moved to Bandırma, in northwestern Turkey, where he signed a youth contract with Banvit on 19 August 2014. He progressed through the Banvit academy and competed with the club’s under-19 team during the 2018–19 season, winning the Turkish Basketball Youth League championship and being named the league’s Most Valuable Player.
Şengün also represented Turkey in youth international competition. He won a bronze medal at the 2018 FIBA Under-16 European Championship in Novi Sad, Serbia, and was named to the All-Tournament Team. He later played at the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina, where Turkey finished fifth, and at the 2019 FIBA Under-18 European Championship, where he helped Turkey win a silver medal and earned another All-Tournament Team selection.
Alperen Şengün Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Şengün began his professional club career during the 2018–19 TBL season with Bandırma Kırmızı, a team competing in the second-tier Turkish First League. Over 29 games, he averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 21.9 minutes per game, shooting 47.6 percent from the field. His performance earned him a move to the top-tier Turkish Basketball Super League.
For the 2019–20 BSL season, Şengün joined Teksüt Bandırma, where he appeared in 22 league games and averaged 5.0 points and 3.9 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game. He also competed in the FIBA Basketball Champions League, appearing in 15 games and averaging 6.6 points and 3.3 rebounds. These years laid the foundation for his rapid rise in Turkish professional basketball.
Beşiktaş Breakthrough (2020–2021)
In August 2020, Şengün signed a three-year contract with the Turkish club Beşiktaş. He had an outstanding regular season, averaging 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks in 28.3 minutes per game across 29 appearances in the Basketball Super League. On 12 May 2021, he was named the BSL Most Valuable Player for the regular season. On the same day, he announced his decision to enter the 2021 NBA draft.
Over the course of the 2020–21 BSL season, Şengün averaged 18.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 28.1 minutes per game across 34 appearances. He shot 62.6 percent from the field overall and 81.2 percent from the free-throw line. He also competed with Beşiktaş in the FIBA Europe Cup, appearing in three games and averaging 23.0 points and 7.3 rebounds. His dominant season in the Turkish League established him as one of the most promising big men entering the NBA draft.
Houston Rockets Era (2021–Present)
Prior to the 2021 NBA draft, Şengün was projected as a potential lottery pick but was ultimately selected 16th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder had acquired the pick from the Boston Celtics as part of a trade that sent Kemba Walker to Oklahoma City. Shortly after selecting Şengün, the Thunder traded his draft rights to the Houston Rockets in exchange for two future first-round picks. On 7 August 2021, he signed a contract with the Rockets.
Şengün made his NBA debut on 20 October 2021, recording 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three steals in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. During his rookie season, he primarily served as a backup center and appeared in 72 games, starting 13 of them, averaging 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. In his second season, he started 72 out of 75 games, averaging 14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.
In 2023, the Rockets hired defensive-minded head coach Ime Udoka, who announced plans to build the offense around Şengün. On 31 October 2023, the Rockets exercised Şengün’s fourth-year option. On 5 March 2024, he scored a career-high 45 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a win over the San Antonio Spurs, surpassing Mehmet Okur for the highest single-game point total by a Turkish player in NBA history. He sustained a grade 3 ankle sprain later that month and missed the remainder of the regular season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Şengün is known for his versatile and highly efficient low-post game, utilizing drop steps, spin moves, and fadeaways. His elite passing ability and advanced feel for the court allow him to space the floor, set screens, and make plays within the flow of the offense. He has cited Nikola Jokić as an inspiration, and his skill set has been compared to European big men such as Domantas Sabonis and Nikola Vučević.
Notable Events and Milestones
On 11 January 2023, Şengün recorded his first career triple-double, becoming the youngest player in Houston Rockets history to achieve the feat. On 6 December 2022, he became the youngest center in NBA history to record at least 1,000 points and 200 assists, surpassing Brad Daugherty’s previous record. On 20 January 2025, he recorded his 1,000th career assist, becoming the youngest center in NBA history to reach that milestone.
Alperen Şengün Career Wins
Throughout his career, Alperen Şengün has earned recognition across multiple leagues and competitions, from Turkish youth basketball to the NBA All-Star stage.
NBA Highlights
On 30 January 2025, Şengün was named a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, becoming the second Turkish player to be selected for the event, following Mehmet Okur in 2007. He finished the 2024–25 season with a career-best four triple-doubles, ranked in the top 10 in all rebounding categories, fifth in both two-point field goals and defensive win shares, and 11th in overall defensive rating. He made his playoff debut on 20 April 2025, recording 26 points, nine rebounds, and three steals in a first-round loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Other Wins and Performances
Şengün won the Turkish Basketball Youth League championship with Banvit’s under-19 team in 2018–19 and was named the league’s MVP. He won the bronze medal at the 2018 FIBA Under-16 European Championship and a silver medal at the 2019 FIBA Under-18 European Championship, earning All-Tournament Team honors at both events. He was also named the Turkish Basketball Super League Most Valuable Player for the 2020–21 regular season.
Alperen Şengün Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Alperen Şengün was born to Kemal Şengün, a fisherman and former point guard who played in Turkey’s first division in the late 1980s, and Ayşe Şengün, a homemaker. His father Kemal Şengün brought a basketball background to the family, while his older brother introduced him to the sport during his childhood in Giresun.
Personal Life
Şengün developed his passion for basketball after watching his older brother play, and his parents initially encouraged him to pursue swimming before he chose to focus exclusively on basketball. He is represented by the Houston Rockets organization and continues to reside in the United States during the NBA season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season marked a major step forward for Alperen Şengün and the Houston Rockets. He signed a five-year, $185 million contract extension on 21 October 2024, and he delivered a career-best campaign, earning his first NBA All-Star selection on 30 January 2025. He finished the season with a career-best four triple-doubles and ranked among the league’s top rebounders.
In March 2025, Şengün recorded eight double-double games, helping the Rockets achieve a 12–1 run and secure the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs. He made his playoff debut on 20 April 2025, posting 26 points, nine rebounds, and three steals in a first-round loss to the Golden State Warriors. The Rockets were eliminated in seven games despite Şengün’s 21-point, 14-rebound, and five-assist performance in Game 7.
During the 2025 EuroBasket tournament, Şengün led Turkey to the final, recording a triple-double against Poland in the quarterfinals to become the youngest player ever to achieve that feat in EuroBasket history. On 14 September 2025, he scored 28 points in Turkey’s 83–88 loss to Germany in the final, securing a silver medal and earning selection to the tournament’s All-Star Five team. His continued growth as both scorer and playmaker signals a bright future for the young star.