Alperen Sengun revealed his two biggest goals: winning a medal with Turkey at EuroBasket 2025 and bringing an NBA championship to the Houston Rockets.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun is aiming high. The Turkish star has made it clear: his goals are to win a medal with Turkey at EuroBasket 2025 and to bring an NBA championship to Houston — something the Rockets haven’t done since 1995.
Alperen Sengun
Alperen Sengun
Position: PF, C
Age: 23
Height: 211 cm
Weight: 110 kg
Birth place: Turkey
At just 23 years old, Sengun is already one of the most promising young big men in the NBA. Last season, he played in the playoffs for the first time and earned his first All-Star selection.
He also averaged a solid double-double during the regular season, showing his growing impact on both ends of the floor.
“The goal is a championship. That’s what everyone wants. I hope we can deliver that to the city of Houston and bring pride back to our fans,” he said per AA. “Everyone is working hard. We want to make a statement in the regular season and carry that into the playoffs. You’ll see a more focused and winning Alperen this season.”
His commitment to winning isn’t limited to the NBA. Wearing the Turkish national team jersey is a huge deal for Sengun, who believes Turkey can compete for a medal at EuroBasket.
“I’m always excited to wear the national jersey. Playing for my country, sharing the floor with my teammates—it’s a completely different feeling than the NBA. It’s been a while since we’ve had a big success. I hope we can build a strong team and bring that feeling back.”
Credit FIBA Media
“Our goal is a medal. In the European Championship, the team that wants it more wins. We’ve got a good group. If everyone is locked in and playing to win, I truly believe we can do something special,” Sengun added.
The Rockets have also made big moves this offseason, adding experienced players alongside their young core. Sengun is confident this mix will help the team take the next step.
“We approached every game last season with a winning mentality. For a young team, I think we held our own. Now we’ve added more experienced players—guys who can lead us on the court. We’re ready for the new season.”
Besides his team goals, Sengun is excited about playing alongside NBA superstar Kevin Durant next season.
“I’m excited to play with Durant—everyone is,” he said. “His age doesn’t matter. He’s Kevin Durant. I have no doubt he’ll bring a lot to the team. He’s incredibly effective on both ends, and he’ll help all of us. He brings experience, and we’ve got a lot of young guys. I think he’ll open up the floor for us.”
Off the court, Sengun credits his mental toughness for helping him adapt quickly to the NBA’s challenges. The league’s fast pace and frequent games can be tough, but he says staying mentally strong has been key to his growth.
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