Jalen Green (United States), Dillon Brooks (Canada), and Jock Landale (Australia) aren’t the only Houston Rockets players participating on the international stage in the 2023 NBA offseason.
After a late change in plans, Alperen Sengun is playing for Turkey’s national basketball team in August’s FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament. On Saturday, Houston’s talented young big man had 10 points, 7 rebounds, and a block in 15 minutes as Turkey crushed Iceland, 99-72, in the opening tournament game for both teams.
Based on the talent mismatch, Sengun was only asked to play in the first half. The big man connected on 2-of-4 shots (50.0%) Saturday while going a perfect 6-for-6 on free-throw attempts.
Turkey’s pre-qualifying tournament games all take place in Istanbul from Aug. 12-20. Turkey is battling with Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Iceland in Group C action, while Group D features Croatia, Belgium, Sweden, and the Netherlands. The two top teams from each group advance to a knockout stage, and the tournament winner earns a ticket to next year’s qualifiers for the 2024 Olympics.
As for the Rockets and the NBA, Sengun averaged 14.8 points (55.3% FG, 33.3% on 3-pointers), 9.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists in 28.9 minutes last year. He remains Houston’s expected starting center entering training camp for the 2023-24 season, which begins in October.
From Saturday, here’s a look at Sengun’s highlights versus Iceland.
Turkey vs. Iceland: Alperen Sengun clips
No second half play from Şengün so this was his final statline.
He did this in 15 minutes and minimal touches offensively.
Solid outing.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) August 12, 2023
Alperen Şengün just got the fastest assist ever 😂 pic.twitter.com/dzLxvfSVye
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) August 12, 2023
Alperen Şengün with the chasedown block! pic.twitter.com/aJ6b2uytqL
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) August 12, 2023
Alperen Şengün with the post spin and slam 🔥 pic.twitter.com/S3eVVUhNtJ
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) August 12, 2023
They didn’t give Alperen Şengün a block on this, but it definitely looked clean to me.
Another really impressive chasedown block 👀 pic.twitter.com/CMkRGCvp34
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) August 12, 2023
One big positive for Alperen Sengun through these last two games for Turkey: FT shooting
I believe he’s at 16/16 on FT’s in the last game and a half
— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) August 12, 2023
Foul merchant Alperen Sengun. Either foul him or let him dom you. Iceland is trying so hard to front him lol. 6/6 on free throws at halftime.
— Mitty (@MittyRockets) August 12, 2023
