After a late change in plans, Alperen Sengun is playing for Turkey’s national basketball team in August’s FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament. On Tuesday, Houston’s talented young center had a game-high 30 points, 5 steals, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks as Turkey beat Ukraine, 85-72, to improve to 3-0 in tournament games.
Just 21 years old, the 6-foot-11 big man connected on 11-of-19 shots (57.9%) versus Ukraine, including a 3-pointer. In leading Turkey to its latest victory, Sengun also made 7-of-9 free throws (77.8%).
Turkey’s pre-qualifying tournament games are taking place in Istanbul from Aug. 12-20. Turkey is battling with Ukraine, Bulgaria and Iceland in Group C action. Group D consists of Croatia, Belgium, Sweden and the Netherlands. The two top teams from each group advance to a knockout stage, and the tournament winner earns a ticket to next year’s qualifiers for the 2024 Olympics.
From Tuesday, here’s a look at Sengun’s highlights versus Ukraine. As for the Rockets and the NBA, Sengun averaged 14.8 points (55.3% FG, 33.3% on 3-pointers), 9 rebounds, 3.9 assists in 28.9 minutes last year. He remains Houston’s expected starting center entering training camp for the 2023-24 season, which begins in October.
Alperen Sengun highlights, Turkey vs. Ukraine
Alperen Sengun's final stats against Ukraine:
– 30 Points
– 5 Boards
– 5 Steals
– 3 Blocks
– 11-19 FG (57.8%)
– 1-4 3PT (25%)
– 7-9 FT (77.8%)
– 65.3 TS%
– +15, WUkraine forced him to be a scorer, so he obliged. Got his hands on nearly everything defensively. Great performance pic.twitter.com/4qZrU0PYuM
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) August 15, 2023
Alperen Sengun, taking over the 3rd quarter with his… defense?
He's up to 4 steals and 2 blocks. Love seeing him turn up the intensity on defense against better competition. pic.twitter.com/mVYCotLS4l
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) August 15, 2023
Sengun has had difficulty in the NBA with really tall centers at the rim. But if he can consistently hit this paint midrange shot, that can offer him an alternative in dealing with the tall centers that give him trouble. #Rockets https://t.co/dpB4WT9T3Z
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) August 15, 2023
Alperen Sengun is just too big, too strong for Ukraine's bigs.
He has 22 points on 7-11 FG, 7-9 FT at the half. pic.twitter.com/hmncgpBxqK
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) August 15, 2023
Alperen Sengun with the casual behind the back pass as he's backing his man down, lmao pic.twitter.com/zIKNMEAztT
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) August 15, 2023
Alperen Sengun displayed his touch well in the first quarter, draining a 3 and 2 fadeaway mid range jumpers.
Has 14 points on 5-7 FG, doing whatever he wants on the offensive end. pic.twitter.com/L212V66POF
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) August 15, 2023
Alperen Şengün going coast to coast is must see TV. pic.twitter.com/cDRX9wcHXX
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) August 15, 2023
This is precisely what we need to see from Sengun this season. A true 5-out offense with good spacing where Sengun can effortlessly hit a 3 with confidence. #Rockets https://t.co/Iz3AK2XpOn
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) August 15, 2023
If the Rockets ever commit to running the offense through Alperen Sengun we might find out he’s a top 10 passer in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/xHZDgJFhkn
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) August 15, 2023
30-point game for Alperen Sengun today. He’s going behind the back and into one-legged Dirk-style fadeaways. He’s catching lob dunks. He’s hitting transition catch-and-shoot 3s. He has 5 steals and 3 blocks. He is the best player on the court by FAR.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) August 15, 2023
I’ve seen enough of Alperen Sengun in FIBA.
He’s going to be an All-Star next season.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) August 15, 2023
