Alperen Sengun said his historic triple-double at EuroBasket 2025 only mattered because Turkiye won, crediting coach Ergin Ataman for using him well.
Houston Rockets star center Alperen Sengun stole the spotlight in the first quarterfinal against Poland of FIBA EuroBasket 2025.
The big man put up 19 points (6/12 2PT, 0/2 3PT, 7/9 FT), 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, becoming just the sixth player in EuroBasket history to record a triple-double—and the first ever from Turkiye.
At 23 years and 46 days old, Sengun also became the youngest player to achieve the feat.
"I mean, it just feels good to win with those," Sengun told reporters after a 91-77 win. "It wouldn't mean anything if we had lost when I got a triple-double. So, I'm happy we won and I gave my everything in defense and offense, so I'm just happy with it."
Sengun credited Turkiye's head coach Ergin Ataman for putting him in the right spots.
"He's using me really well in the court," Sengun noted. "He put me everywhere. So, that's who I am. I'm a team player. I'm going to do whatever it takes to win. I don't care, whatever you tell me, I'll do it."
Turkiye will now face either Lithuania or Giannis Antetokounmpo's Greece in the semifinal.
"We're going to celebrate, and then we're going to watch them and get ready for those two teams. They're two great teams, we're just going to get ready for them," Sengun said.
But he had some special praise for Giannis.
"We're watching his games, he's really amazing," Sengun stated. "He's amazing here [in FIBA], also in the NBA. Nobody can stop him."
The EuroBasket 2025 semifinals are set for Friday.
Pijus Sapetka
Pijus Sapetka began his basketball media career in 2021, building on years of closely following the sport. Since then, he has reported from a variety of basketball events, including the EuroLeague Playoffs, Lithuanian Cups, LKL Finals, EuroCup games, the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and Goran Dragic's Farewell Game. He holds a degree in Journalism & PR.
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