Third-year center Alperen Sengun has had an incredible start to the 2023-24 season for the improving Houston Rockets (17-15), and his All-Star case continues to improve by the game.
Sengun dropped an extremely efficient 30 points in Wednesday’s home win over Brooklyn — and over his last 10 games, the talented Turkish big man is averaging 25.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game with a 65.7% true-shooting percentage.
In postgame comments, veteran guard Fred VanVleet — who had 21 points and 10 assists while making 6-of-8 from 3-point range (75.0%) — endorsed Sengun’s play in the strongest terms.
VanVleet told Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network, Houston’s regional television network for game broadcasts:
Superstar in the making. We’re watching it unfold right before our eyes. He’s getting better every day. It’s been a joy to play with him and watch him, and we’ve just got to stay on him and keep riding it out, as far as we can go. He’s been a workhorse for us this year, and we’re going to continue to do that.
The complete interview can be watched below. VanVleet played with several marquee players over his previous NBA years in Toronto, including Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, and Scottie Barnes.
Sengun, VanVleet, and the rest of the Rockets will look to keep their momentum going when they face the top-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves (24-9) in a difficult Western Conference matchup on Friday night. Tipoff from Toyota Center is at 7:00 p.m. Central.
#Rockets beat the Nets 112-101
Fred VanVleet –
🏀21 PTS🏀10 AST🏀6 REB🏀
🏀6 3-POINTERS🏀2 BLK🏀He spoke with our @SportsVanessa after the WIN@HoustonRockets on SCHN pic.twitter.com/ZiJ9oB0M4j
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 4, 2024
