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Kevin Durant officially kicked off his 18th NBA season at the preseason media day held on Monday, during which he expressed admiration for Alperen Sengun.
“I’ve played alongside several exceptional big men who excel in their roles—those who can defend, score in the post, set solid screens, finish at the rim, and block shots. However, I believe Alpi is capable of doing just about all of that and even more, while also possessing the ability to handle the ball like a guard on the perimeter,” he said, referring to the 23-year-old center for the Houston Rockets.
The two-time NBA champion has been following Sengun’s progress during EuroBasket 2025 this past offseason and has recently joined the Rockets through a trade while also approaching an extension of his contract.
“It’s always beneficial to play in that environment,” he mentioned regarding his new teammate’s participation in the recent FIBA tournament. “The style is quite challenging; it’s more of a half-court game during EuroBasket, which ultimately enhances your skills. I believe that as I enter my fifth year and reflect on playoff experiences, these moments contribute to me becoming a better and more confident player.”
Sengun expressed his enthusiasm about Durant’s arrival, stating, “I’m thrilled to have him on the team. I look forward to learning from him and achieving victories together.”
The native of Giresun posted impressive averages of 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game in EuroBasket, where he transitioned from winning a silver medal to being named to the tournament’s All-Star Five.
“I enjoyed a lot of freedom. The coach allowed that, and my teammates encouraged me. It was my country, my national team. The role there differs greatly from what I experience here,” Sengun reflected on his responsibilities with the squad led by Ergin Ataman.
“EuroBasket served as a preparation for me to come back here and have a standout season. It was an opportunity to explore my capabilities while also striving to win,” he noted.
A loss to Germany in the gold-medal game ended an impressive eight-game winning streak through the group and knockout stages.
“Being there and receiving all that support from Turkiye was special. It’s a vast country, and the people are eager for success from our national teams. I’m happy we were able to deliver that. I wish we had claimed the title, but sometimes things don’t go your way all at once,” Sengun said, adding, “We must practice patience. We have a World Cup coming up in two years, and I hope we can perform even better then and make our country proud once again.”
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