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Kevin Durant officially kicked off his 18th season in the NBA during the preseason media day held on Monday, where he took the opportunity to commend Alperen Sengun.
“I’ve played alongside some impressive big men—those who excel in their roles, capable of guarding, posting up, screening effectively, finishing strong above the rim, and blocking shots. However, I believe Alpi can do all of that and even more, including handling the ball like a guard on the perimeter,” he commented on the 23-year-old center of the Houston Rockets.
The two-time NBA champion observed Sengun’s performance in EuroBasket 2025 during the offseason, in addition to joining the Rockets through a trade while being close to finalizing a contract extension.
“It’s always beneficial to participate in that environment,” he said, referring to his new teammate’s representation of Turkey in the recent FIBA tournament, “It’s a challenging style of basketball. The pace is slower, and you really need to focus on half-court play in EuroBasket. This experience enhances your game. Entering my fifth year and having gone through playoff series, all of those experiences contribute to becoming a better and more confident player.”
Sengun expressed his enthusiasm about playing with Durant, saying, “I’m really eager to collaborate with him, learn from him, and secure victories together.”
During EuroBasket, the Giresun native averaged 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, transitioning from winning a silver medal to being honored on the tournament’s All-Star Five team.
“I was granted so much freedom by the coach, and my teammates encouraged me. Representing my country on the national team is always a unique role compared to playing here,” he reflected on his experience under coach Ergin Ataman.
Sengun saw EuroBasket as an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming season, stating, “It was like practice for me to come here and aim for a big season. I was exploring my capabilities while also focusing on winning.”
A perfect run of eight consecutive wins through pool play and the knockout rounds ended with a loss in the gold-medal match against Germany.
“Being there and receiving all the support from Turkey means a lot. Turkey is a large country, and our people are eager for success from our national teams. I’m glad we delivered some success. While I wish we had won the title, I believe that patience is key. We have a World Cup coming up in two years, and hopefully, we can perform even better and make our country proud once again,” Sengun concluded.
