Alperen Sengun makes history as two-time NBA All-Star

By Burak Abaty | BBC News Turkish 

 LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM —  National basketball star Alperen Şengün is set to take the court for his second consecutive NBA All-Star Game in the early hours of February 16, marking a historic milestone as the first Turkish player to achieve this feat twice.

According to BBC News Turkish, the game will be hosted at Intuit Home, the home of the Los Angeles Clippers, starting at 04:00 TRT. Şengün, who has become a cornerstone for the Houston Rockets, shared a message on social media thanking his supporters in Turkey ahead of the prestigious event.

A historic milestone for Turkish basketball

Şengün’s second selection follows a year of unprecedented growth and dominant performances. While Mehmet Okur was the first Turk to be selected for an All-Star game in 2007, Şengün has now surpassed that record by becoming a two-time participant.

His rise in the NBA was further bolstered by his stellar performance with the Turkish national team during EuroBasket 2025. Leading the "12 Giant Men" to the finals, Şengün averaged 20.8 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists over eight matches. His 28-point explosion against Serbia was particularly noted by basketball authorities as the turning point that secured Turkey's leadership in the group stages.

The bridge between classic and modern basketball

Expert analysis highlights Şengün's unique playing style as the key to his success. Speaking to BBC Turkish, basketball commentator Kaan Kural praised Şengün for "merging classic basketball with the modern game." Kural noted that Şengün possesses post-up skills reminiscent of 90s big men—a rarity in today's NBA—while maintaining the court vision and ball-handling of a modern point-forward.

Sports writer İnan Özdemir from Socrates Magazine described Şengün’s journey from Giresun to Houston as a "unique growth story." Özdemir emphasized that Şengün has evolved from a nimble post player into a team leader who has significantly improved his defensive game over the last season.

From Giresun to the NBA heights

Born on July 25, 2002, in Giresun, Şengün’s path to the NBA began almost by accident. His father, Kemal Şengün, initially sought to enroll his older son in basketball. However, after coach Salim Tatlı suggested Alperen instead due to his age and potential, the 8-year-old’s journey began.

After moving to Banvit at age 12, Şengün quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the MVP of the Basketball Youth League in 2019. Following a breakout season with Beşiktaş in 2020-21, he was drafted into the NBA. Since joining the Houston Rockets, his statistics have seen a steady climb, averaging 19.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5 assists leading up to his All-Star selection on January 31.

A leader for the national team

Under the guidance of coach Ergin Ataman, Şengün has moved to the center of the national team's hierarchy. Analysts suggest that Turkey's future international campaigns will be built entirely around Şengün's ability to facilitate play for teammates like Cedi Osman and Shane Larkin.

Despite the systemic issues in Turkish basketball infrastructure, Şengün is often described by experts as an "exception" rather than a product of a flawless system. His success is viewed as a beacon for young athletes in Turkey, proving that a combination of traditional fundamentals and modern versatility can lead to the very top of the basketball world.

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