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Kevin Durant officially kicked off his 18th season in the NBA on Monday during the preseason media day, where he took time to commend Alperen Sengun.
“I’ve played alongside some outstanding big men who excel in their roles—those who can defend, post up, set solid screens, finish at the rim, and block shots. However, I believe Alpi can do a bit of everything and even more; he can also handle the basketball like a guard on the perimeter,” he said, referring to the 23-year-old Turkish center for the Houston Rockets.
The two-time NBA champion has followed Sengun’s progress in EuroBasket 2025 this offseason and is close to finalizing a contract extension after being traded to the Rockets.
“It’s fantastic to participate in that environment,” he remarked about his new teammate competing for his national team in the recent FIBA tournament, adding, “It’s a physically demanding style of basketball. The game slows down, and you really need to focus on half-court play in EuroBasket. That style pushes you to improve as a player. As I enter year five and reflect on playoff experiences, I believe all these moments contribute to making you a more skilled and confident athlete.”
Sengun expressed his enthusiasm about Durant joining the Rockets, stating, “I’m really looking forward to collaborating with him, learning from him, and achieving victories together.”
The young player from Giresun performed exceptionally in EuroBasket, averaging 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, earning silver and a spot on the tournament’s All-Star Five.
“I had a lot of freedoms. The coach encouraged it, and my teammates supported me. It’s my national team, and the role is distinct from playing here,” he explained regarding his experience with the team led by Ergin Ataman.
“Participating in EuroBasket was like a preparation for me to come here and have a breakout season. I was testing my potential while also contributing to the team’s victories,” he added.
Their journey ended with a defeat in the gold-medal match against Germany, halting an impressive eight-game winning streak through both the group and knockout rounds.
“Experiencing the support from Turkiye was incredible. It’s a large country, and its people are passionate about the success of our national teams. I’m pleased we could give them something to cheer about. I wish we could have captured the title, but everything happens in its own time,” Sengun said, emphasizing the importance of patience. “We have a World Cup in two years, and I hope we can perform even better and pride our country once more.”
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