HOUSTON — Rockets rookie center Alperen Sengun surprised the media in attendance in Thursday’s community event at Moody Community Center. The Turkish-born 19-year-old spent most of his first year learning the NBA game, and also the English language on the side.
In English, the No. 16 overall selection in the 2021 NBA draft answered questions about his busy offseason schedule and how good it feels to be back with his teammates. That’s quite an accomplishment for an individual who has been in the United States for less than a year.
Although he traveled back home after the Rockets finished their regular season schedule, he still practiced improving his second language.
Sengun will now put his English lessons on hold for a bit, as his basketball schedule will be packed over the next three months. He will spend the next two weeks working out at Toyota Center with teammates and assistant coaches, including exclusive work with John Lucas.
“We’re doing tough practices because we’re working with John Lucas, you know, he’s crazy, and his practice is crazy too,” said Sengun. “I did practice in Turkey but not like this, just lifting and running.”
After completing his time in Houston, Sengun heads back to Turkey to play for the Turkish National Team as they prepare for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Before being drafted in July 2021, he put on an impressive showing for the national team at the FIBA EuroBasket2022 Qualifiers, helping Turkey secure two wins over Sweden and Croatia. In September, he will travel back to Europe to play in the EuroBasket tournament.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun on being back in Houston to get some work in at the Rockets practice facility:
“We are working with John Lucas, you know he’s crazy and his practices are crazy too.” #LightTheFuse #Rockets pic.twitter.com/zKmgcSVkVC— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) May 15, 2022
Sengun is looking to improve upon the 9.6 points and 5.5 rebounds (20.7 minutes) that he averaged over 72 games played last season with the Rockets. His head coach believes that his jam-packed schedule, which includes a lot of basketball, will help him achieve that growth.
“Playing games is always great, and meaningful games is even better,” Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said at Moody Community Center. “As far as being in shape and having timing at the beginning of season, he’ll have it, so we’re all for it and we’re supporting him in that.”
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