![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-01-22T014020Z_219166668_MT1USATODAY19835631_RTRMADP_3_NBA-HOUSTON-ROCKETS-AT-MINNESOTA-TIMBERWOLVES.jpg?width=600)
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 21, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) passes over Minnesota Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell (0) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-01-22T014020Z_219166668_MT1USATODAY19835631_RTRMADP_3_NBA-HOUSTON-ROCKETS-AT-MINNESOTA-TIMBERWOLVES.jpg?width=600)
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 21, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) passes over Minnesota Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell (0) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Rockets are in the middle of a rebuild which justifies their season record and conference standing. With a 10-36 season record, the Rockets are dead last in the Western Conference. However, the team has one of the youngest and brightest cores of players who will likely be a major threat in the coming years. Names like Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. may excite fans but one diamond in the rough found by the Rockets franchise is Alperen Sengun.
Alperen Sengun was the 16th overall pick by the Houston Rockets in the 2021 NBA draft. The Turkish basketball player has turned out to be one of the biggest hidden gems with the way he has been playing so far.
The Houston Rockets may have hit the jackpot
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Alperen Sengun, a 6’10″ center, whose game possibly does not jump out at first glance, has been turning heads around the league. Even though the Rockets have some great young high-flyers, Sengun has been a class apart.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-01-22T022739Z_1495955893_MT1USATODAY19836004_RTRMADP_3_NBA-HOUSTON-ROCKETS-AT-MINNESOTA-TIMBERWOLVES.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 21, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The Rockets center has seemingly been breaking records every other night and their latest game against the Minnesota Timberwolves was nothing different. Sengun ended the first half with perfect shooting from the floor.
He became the youngest player ever to record a first-half double-double without missing a field goal. Sengun scored 13 points along with 11 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 6–6 from the floor.
One fan tweeted, “Bro breaks a record every other day and we love it.”
Here are some more reactions from NBA Twitter:
bro breaks a record every other day and we love it
— Big Aamir (@bigaamir41) January 22, 2023
Watching live right now. Super talented player! Would love to see him be more aggressive when he is left open.
— Malachi David (@SportReportMD) January 22, 2023
Lmaoo my kind of stat, I love it.
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) January 22, 2023
Hakeem olajuwonkic
— joe mama (@joemama45123) January 22, 2023
he’s literally him pic.twitter.com/IMjz2FMDDF
— simon (29-16) (@simonfreeby) January 22, 2023
He will clear jokic in 2 years.
— . (@ScaryMinutes) January 22, 2023
Fans are excited to see what else Sengun has in his bag of tricks as he develops into a fine young player.
Alperen Sengun with shades of Nikola Jokic
Nobody expected Alperen Sengun to break out the way he has this season. Yet he has etched his name as one of the best young guns on the Rockets squad. Amidst big names on that team, Sengun has demanded attention all through his performances on the hardwood.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story – Rockets legend chucks Shaquille O’Neal on a Christmas tree like a piece of paper
His game does reflect shades of Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets‘ back-to-back MVP. Even though the Rockets are struggling this season, one can be sure that their future is in good hands.
Alperen Sengun in his last 4 games:
22.8 PTS | 12.8 REB | 6.3 AST | 2.3 BLK
Houston’s Jokic ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/a5ME6jxZl6
— BigE__🚀🚀 (@BigE_Houston) January 22, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Does Alperen Sengun have what it takes to be an All-Star player soon? Let us know what you think in the comments section down below.