Second-year Houston Rockets prospect Alperen Sengun has drawn comparisons to two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic for his rare playmaking skills as a center, so perhaps it’s fitting that both Sengun and his idol from Denver are finalists for an assists award.
Sengun, Jokic, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dallas’ Luka Doncic and Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball are finalists for the Assist of the Year in the 2023 NBA Fan Favorites competition.
Sengun, who averaged 3.9 assists in 28.9 minutes per game this season, is nominated for his no-look, behind-the-head dime to a cutting KJ Martin on March 31. Martin completed the dunk, making for a memorable highlight, and the Rockets went on to win the game.
“OOO WEE ALPI!”@AlperennSengun’s no-look pass is nominated for the #NBAFanFavorites 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿!
VOTE FOR ALPI 👉 https://t.co/bTixN25Gfn pic.twitter.com/Wtcg5GhJD8
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) May 2, 2023
That kicked off a strong season-ending stretch by the Rockets (22-60), who won four of their last five games, starting with that win over the Pistons. It wasn’t enough to save the job of head coach Stephen Silas, but at least it allowed him to leave on a relative high note.
As for Sengun, fans can vote on the Assist of the Year through Wednesday night, May 3, at nba.com/fanfavorites. The winner will be subsequently announced on Friday, May 5.
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