Houston Rockets big man Alperen Sengun is having a breakout season and may have earned a new fan (and nickname!) on Tuesday night.
Sengun, who is arguably having the best season of anyone in his draft class, enjoyed a big game against Houston’s in-state rival Dallas Mavericks during the final seeding game of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament.
On the broadcast for the Mavericks was Basketball Hall of Fame power forward Dirk Nowitzki. So when Sengun hit a fadeaway jumper that looked awfully like what we would see from Nowitzki during his NBA career, fans got to hear an instant reaction from the longtime Dallas superstar.
"That's beautiful right there."
Dirk was feeling this Alperen Sengun fadeaway jumper 🎙️🙌
🏆 HOU TO WIN GROUP: win
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📱 https://t.co/YK9ZmfkUPb pic.twitter.com/ENpU2RTfgb— NBA (@NBA) November 29, 2023
Nowitzki called the shot “beautiful” and seemed legitimately impressed by Sengun’s shot.
But this wasn’t the first time we saw Sengun try the one-legged fadeaway during a game. He also recently used the move during a match against the Nuggets.
Sengun spoke about why he feels confident enough to take these attempts (via Chron.com):
“I worked all summer on that shot,” Şengün said. “I’m attacking good. When I’m dribbling I can be dangerous with that. And now players are scouting you and they give you that space now I can use that shot.”
“When I’m really dangerous in that shot it’s going to be difficult to guard me.”
If he keeps pulling this out with any level of success, the Turkish-born big man may earn the nickname “Turk Nowitzki” that is floating around Twitter.
