Alperen Sengun, the rising star of the Houston Rockets, recently shared insights into his pre-draft process on Paul George’s podcast, “Podcast P.” The 21-year-old Turkish center revealed that he was initially hesitant about potentially joining the Oklahoma City Thunder, expressing relief that he ended up with the Houston Rockets instead.
The Turkish talent shared his thoughts during the podcast, stating:
“Actually, I didn’t want to go to OKC that much. How I can say… my OKC workout was, like, maybe somewhat my worst workout since coming here. It was really so hard. My agent was in my table saying you’re going to go to OKC, but they’re going to trade you to Houston.”
“I don’t even know anything about Houston, because I didn’t even talk to them. But they were telling me (that) OKC is so boring, I hope you’re not going there.”
Alperen Şengün reveals he was happy to get drafted by Houston after hearing OKC was boring
(Via @PodcastPShow / h/t @BradeauxNBA )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 27, 2023
Sengun, selected with the No. 16 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Thunder but quickly traded to the Rockets, disclosed that his pre-draft workout with the Thunder was particularly challenging and described it as one of his worst. The young center admitted that he did not want to go to Oklahoma City, emphasizing the difficulty of the workout and the perception that the city was “boring.”
Sengun expressed his happiness upon learning about the trade to the Rockets, citing the belief that there would be more to do in Houston. He also mentioned the presence of a significant Turkish community in Houston, which made the transition more comfortable for him.
Since arriving in Houston, Sengun has flourished into one of the league’s most promising young centers, showcasing his skills with career-high averages of 20.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in the 2023-24 season. His success with the Rockets has validated his relief at not landing in Oklahoma City and has contributed to the franchise’s revitalization. The revelations offer a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the NBA draft process and how player preferences and perceptions can shape their career trajectories.
Paul George Got Schooled By Alperen Sengun
During a recent appearance on Paul George’s podcast, Alperen Sengün, the Houston Rockets‘ emerging center, discussed a memorable move he pulled off against George in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. In the third quarter of the matchup, Sengün executed a dazzling shimmy towards the baseline followed by a quick spin back towards the paint, leaving George fooled and resulting in a turnover for the Rockets.
Reflecting on the play, George admitted:
“I got crossed on the shimmy, and I fouled you too. It was embarrassing.”
"I got crossed on the shimmy and I fouled you too."
That Sengun spin caught PG by surprise 😅 pic.twitter.com/myM6V3liyt
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) November 25, 2023
George described how he fell for Sengün’s deceptive move, initially jumping left, anticipating a baseline drive, only to be caught off guard by a second spin move. Despite the turnover, Sengün’s creativity and agility on the court left a lasting impression on George and the Clippers.
Sengün, who finished the game with an impressive 23 points and eight rebounds, shared that the baseline spin has long been a signature move for him, even dating back to his time playing in Turkey. The young center showcased his ability to innovate and outmaneuver opponents, demonstrating why he is considered one of the rising stars in the NBA. As the Rockets continue their season, Şengün’s offensive prowess and improvisational skills are poised to make a significant impact on the court.
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