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.