Age, Biography, and Wiki
Alperen Şengün is a Turkish professional basketball player born on July 25, 2002, in Giresun, Turkey. He is currently 22 years old. Şengün's ascent to prominence in the basketball world began at a young age. He bypassed the traditional college route, opting instead to start his professional career early. His journey to the NBA involved playing for teams in the Turkish leagues before being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021 NBA Draft. However, he was traded to the Houston Rockets on draft night, where he has been making significant contributions as a center.
Occupation | Sports |
---|---|
Date of Birth | 25 July 2002 |
Age | 22 Years |
Birth Place | Giresun, Turkey |
Horoscope | Leo |
Country | Turkey |
Height, Weight & Measurements
Alperen Şengün stands at 6 feet 11 inches (211 cm) tall. His weight is variously reported as 235 lbs (106 kg) and 243 lbs (110 kg), depending on the source. His height and physical presence are integral to his role as a center, allowing him to dominate the paint on both ends of the court.
With five assists against the Detroit Pistons on 20 January 2025, Şengün recorded his 1,000th career assist, becoming the youngest center in NBA history to reach the mark. After defeating the Atlanta Hawks 100–96, Şengün became the 16th player in NBA history to have recorded at least 4,000 points, 2,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists playing around 250+ games and became the fifth player to have reached 4000+ points, 2000+ rebounds and 1000+ assists along with 250 steals and 200 blocks through that many games, joining Alvan Adams, Larry Bird, Lionel Simmons and Chris Webber. On 30 January, Şengün was named as reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, his first selection. On 4 February, Şengün returned from a three-game absence due to a left calf contusion and recorded 24 points, 20 rebounds and four assists in a 99–97 loss against to the Brooklyn Nets. In March, he recorded eight double-double games helping the Rockets to a 12–1 streak and the no. 2 playoff spot. He ended the season with a career-best four triple-doubles, in the top 10 for all rebounding categories, fifth in both two-point field goals and defensive win-shares, and 11th in overall defensive rating.
Height | 6 feet 11 inches |
Weight | 235 lbs |
Body Measurements | |
Eye Color | |
Hair Color |
Dating & Relationship Status
There is no publicly available information regarding Alperen Şengün's dating or relationship status. His focus appears to be on his basketball career and personal development.
His parents wanted him to be a swimmer, but he preferred basketball, having been inspired by seeing his older brother play the sport before. He started playing basketball at the age of eight. Early on, he competed in both sports simultaneously. However, due to practical issues, like a lack of necessary time that was needed to train for both sports properly, he had to choose between the two and finally decided to continue with basketball.
Parents | |
Husband | |
Sibling | |
Children |
Net Worth
Alperen Şengün has made at least $10,126,320 playing professional basketball. His income is substantial, reflecting his talent and the significant contracts he has secured in the NBA. In 2024 alone, he earned $3,536,280.
Social Network
Şengün is active on social media platforms. He can be found on Instagram at @alperen.sengun and on Twitter at @alperennsengun.
When the off-season began, the Rockets traded away Christian Wood to the Dallas Mavericks to progress their young roster, giving Şengün a high expectation to take the role in the starting lineup for the center position. Ultimately, head coach Silas chose Bruno Fernando as the starting center, who performed adroitly last season as the team needed a legitimate rim defender to start. However, Fernando suffered a patellar tendinitis injury on his left knee during the start of the season. With Fernando sidelined for a week, the team promoted Şengün to become a starter temporarily. On 26 November 2022, he recorded 21 points and seven assists along with a then-career-high 19 rebounds in a 118–105 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. On 6 December, in a 132–123 win against the Philadelphia 76ers, he became the youngest center (at 20 years and 133 days old) to post 1,000 points and 200 assists, surpassing Brad Daugherty's record (21 years and 153 days old).
Starting in 72 out of 75 games he played, Şengün finished the season averaging 14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists, shooting .553 from the field, and playing a total 28.9 minutes per game. His sophomore season had brought some attention from other NBA star players, describing his talent as phenomenal. Kevin Durant was asked on which young players he really enjoys watching play: "I would say I was going to give some love to Alperen Şengün. I like Sengun. He was dunking on a couple of people. I didn't know he could get up like that. He's nice. I like him." and Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George compared Şengün's passing and rebound playmaking to Magic Johnson, Pau Gasol and Jokić. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards said in an interview that the Rockets should build around him more so than his teammates Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr.
Standing at 6ft 11in and 243 lb with a 7 ft wingspan, Şengün plays at the power forward and center position. NBA commentators and scouts considered him one of the most "skilled" and "productive" big men entering the 2021 NBA draft following his "dominant" season in the Turkish League. With a solid frame and wide base, he is known for a versatile and highly efficient low-post game that utilizes drop steps, spin moves and fadeaways. Şengün is additionally equipped with an impressive and elite passing ability that is supplemented by what scouts view as an advanced feel for the court—i.e., his ability to space the court, set screens, cut to the rim and make plays within the flow of the offense. As a defender, he is most effective on on-ball matchups in isolation against other big men, though his defense in general has been called into question. His free-throw routine where he speaks to the basketball has also garnered attention by NBA commentators.
Education
Alperen Şengün did not attend college. Instead, he chose to pursue a professional basketball career directly after his youth development. This decision allowed him to gain experience and develop his skills in the Turkish leagues before entering the NBA.
Additional Insights
- Career Highlights: Şengün has become known for his dynamic playmaking skills and impressive statistics, averaging 19.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. His nickname, "Alpy," reflects his endearing presence among fans.
- International Recognition: As a Turkish basketball player, Şengün has the potential to represent Turkey in international competitions, further enhancing his global profile.
- Future Prospects: With his talent and dedication, Şengün is poised to continue growing as a player, potentially leading him to more significant roles in the NBA and international basketball.