In an appearance on The Bradeaux & Will Show, young Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun stressed that defense and 3-point shooting are points of emphasis entering his third NBA season.
Sengun very nearly had competition for the starting center job this offseason, with Houston initially prioritizing Milwaukee big man Brook Lopez in 2023 free agency. But wish Lopez spurning the Rockets to return to the Bucks, Houston’s apparent replacement plan (Jock Landale and Jeff Green) shouldn’t pose nearly the same threat to the young Turkish prospect, at least in terms of minutes.
Thus, for better or for worse, Sengun should have every opportunity to try and make an impression on new Rockets head coach Ime Udoka — and, as the 20-year-old sees it, hopefully improve some of his early-career deficiencies with defense and 3-point shooting.
Last season, Sengun averaged 14.8 points (55.3% FG, 33.3% on 3-pointers), 9.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 28.9 minutes per game.
Sengun said on the podcast that his height is now at 6-foot-11 without shoes, which is approximately an inch taller than last season. That could potentially help with many of those interior battles.
The complete podcast with Sengun, who was drafted by the Rockets at No. 16 overall in the 2021 first round, can be listened to here. Read on for various tidbits from that conversation.
July 12 Alperen Sengun podcast tidbits
Alperen Şengün just confirmed he was 6’11” without shoes after his growth spurt! (Via @BradeauxAndWill)
Link: https://t.co/lq1crdrOiR pic.twitter.com/Jaz1l5JvUX
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) July 13, 2023
“I want to take more shots from three, that’s my goal”
— Alperen Şengün on the @BradeauxAndWill Show
He also mentioned improving defense as his primary focus, but noted it was a team effort to get it done. pic.twitter.com/P1dDmnFO2o
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) July 13, 2023
Alperen Sengun answer on @BradeauxAndWill for what his goal is for next year.
"I want to play much better defense. I don't think my defense is that bad but I did struggle in the pick and roll defense last year."
This is what you want to see out of your franchise center.
— Mitty (@MittyRockets) July 13, 2023
Will (@BiasedHouston) and I just gave Alperen Şengün his first ever American podcast (and he didn’t have anyone helping him). At the end of the show he said:
“My English is getting good huh” 😂
Excited for y’all to hear this one!
(Link: https://t.co/bZzqdF5VQL) pic.twitter.com/Sm7byPfM0t
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) July 13, 2023
Alperen Şengün: I've been thinking about where I want to go for summer training. This summer is really important for me. I didn't want LA or Miami, because you can go out everywhere every night if you want. I picked Santa Barbara because it's chill here.
(🔗:@BradeauXAndWill)
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) July 13, 2023
Alperen Şengün: I'm in much better shape now compared to last year. I'm shooting well too, my Serbian coach was previously also my shooting coach. I've mostly been working on my shot and my legs/footwork. I know I need to move [on the court] better.
(🔗:@BradeauXAndWill)
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) July 13, 2023
Alperen Şengün: I think right now I'm 6' 11 without shoes. When I joined the NBA I was 6' 9. The next year they measured me and I was 6' 10. Now Tari went crazy saying "you're tall, you're tall!" I don't think I'm 7 foot without shoes though. #Rockets
(🔗:@BradeauXAndWill)
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) July 13, 2023
Alperen Şengün: Everything has been perfect for me so far this summer. I brought all my family from Turkey. I've been practicing and they've been really helpful and supportive. I've been doing a lot here.#Rockets
(🔗:@BradeauXAndWill)
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) July 13, 2023
Alperen Şengün: I didn't take much of a break after the season. I brought one coach here from Serbia. I used to work with him when I was at Beşiktaş.#Rockets
(🔗:@BradeauXAndWill)
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) July 13, 2023
Alperen Şengün: It was a great moment [meeting coach Udoka]. When we learned the news, me and my agency were very happy – saying he's a tough guy. I was so excited to come to Houston and have dinner. We like him a lot. We are so excited to play.#Rockets
(🔗:@BradeauXAndWill)
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) July 13, 2023
Alperen Şengün: [Amen and Cam] are good.. They are really good.. I think we have great team in the summer league. They are so connected to each other. They are athletic, which I like. I can pass to them and match up, like KJ. I like them a lot.#Rockets
(🔗:@BradeauXAndWill)
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) July 13, 2023
Alperen Şengün: I like Amen. He doesn't think to score first. He's thinking pass first, like 'how can I find my teammate'. He's doing great defense. He's really quick. I think Cam will be like KJ. He also does great defence. #Rockets
(🔗:@BradeauXAndWill)
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) July 13, 2023
Alperen Şengün: Jabari was cooking bro. He has big confidence right now – trusting himself, which is great. He finished the season great last year. He's learning bro. He loves to learn. He wants to fight. Which is what we need in the team. #Rockets
(🔗:@BradeauXAndWill)
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) July 13, 2023
Alperen Şengün: Before the summer league we were playing 1 v 1 everyday. Jabari never said no. I'd say "Let's play" and Jabari would go "Let's do it. Let's do it". Tari the same. And now Jabari is cooking. I'm so happy for him. #Rockets
(🔗:@BradeauXAndWill)
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) July 13, 2023
Alperen Şengün: Fred is a good leader. You can understand already. Your point guard needs to be a leader and someone that can teach. He's texting everyone already that he signed for Houston. He has the experience as a champion. #Rockets
(🔗:@BradeauXAndWill)
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) July 13, 2023
Alperen Şengün: This league is not easy bro. We're going to do what we have to do. We're going to fight till the end of every game. We will see. We want to play in the play-in and play-off for sure. We have a good team. We're going to work hard. #Rockets
(🔗:@BradeauXAndWill)
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) July 13, 2023
