Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun has been showing off his improved game so far this season, and he recently appeared on the Podcast P show with Paul George to share a more humbling “welcome to the NBA” moment he experienced in his first year with the Rockets via KJ Martin.
“After I got drafted, before Summer League, we were working out with the team and KJ (Kenyon Martin Jr.) dunked on me in practice,”Sengun said. “I used to block every shot in Turkey, I was the block leader…but I gave him space, I didn’t know who KJ was before I came into the NBA and I gave him space so I could jump with him and he went too fast…and I was a little late and he dunked on me, but I didn’t even see it, I just fell.”
Alperen Sengun playing a big role in Houston's impressive defense
Sengun is at least fortunate that his “welcome to the NBA” baptism by dunking happened off-camera in practice and not on the big stage, but it's definitely part of the job description for NBA centers to challenge high fliers and risk getting put on a poster. Sengun's improved defensive efforts have been a big part of Houston's turnaround so far this season, as the Rockets are 3rd in the NBA in defensive rating with Sengun anchoring the team in the paint as the starting center.
It can often take young big men plenty of time to adjust, but Sengun has already adapted well to the NBA game at the age of just 21. The third-year center is averaging over 20 points and 9 rebounds per game, making Alperen Sengun a prime candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year award this season.
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