Entering Thursday, Alperen Sengun is the leader of a much-improved Houston Rockets team (22-25) in points (21.9), rebounds (9.2) and shooting percentage (54.1%) on a per-game basis. But at least for now, that won’t be enough to earn 2024 NBA All-Star honors.
Sengun, 21, wasn’t among the seven Western Conference reserves announced on Thursday night. His closest frontcourt competitors to make the team were Karl-Anthony Towns of the Timberwolves and Anthony Davis of the Lakers, and both have much more experience.
While Sengun finished No. 5 overall among West frontcourt players (and well ahead of Towns) in fan voting, fan votes were only considered in determining All-Star starters. In contrast, reserves were solely determined by voting ballots from each team’s coaching staff.
With his big-man competitors having longer NBA track records and playing for teams with better win-loss records, that may have given them more exposure to coaches around the league. Keep in mind, Sengun is in just his third season, and the Rockets have played only one game all season on national television.
Sengun could potentially be added to the West All-Star team at a later date, should there be an injury withdrawal or two. The game is scheduled to take place on Sunday, Feb. 18 in Indianapolis.
For now, here’s how media members and fans following the Rockets responded to Thursday’s disappointing news on social media.