Alperen Şengün
A crafty Turkish center with old-school post moves and visionary passing, heralding a new, skilled era for big men in the NBA.
Born 2002 (age 24)·Turkish basketball player·Birthday: July 25·Generation Z
Biography
Alperen Şengün arrived in the NBA from Turkey not as a raw prospect, but as a polished throwback, a big man with a doctorate in low-post artistry. Drafted by the Houston Rockets, he quickly defied the modern trend of perimeter-oriented centers, instead deploying a deep bag of hooks, up-and-unders, and no-look passes that evoked comparisons to European greats. His game is a blend of physicality and finesse, using his strength to establish position before dissecting defenses with preternatural court vision. His rapid ascent to All-Star status signaled a league-wide recognition that fundamental skill and basketball IQ could be as disruptive as athleticism. In Houston, he has become the offensive cornerstone, a player reshaping the blueprint for what a modern franchise center can be.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Alperen was born in 2002, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alperen Was Born
The biggest hits of 2002
#1 Movie
Spider-Man
Best Picture
Chicago
#1 TV Show
Friends
Alperen's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2002Born
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2007Started school
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2015Became a teenager
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Could drive
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2020Could vote
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2023Turned 21
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 24 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first Turkish player to be named a multiple-time NBA All-Star, earning selections in 2025 and 2026.
- Won the Turkish League MVP award in 2021 at age 18 before being drafted into the NBA.
- Recorded a triple-double with a rare stat line that included blocks and steals, showcasing his all-around impact.
Did You Know?
He grew up idolizing another skilled Turkish big man, Hedo Türkoğlu.
He was named the MVP of the Turkish Basketball Super League in the 2020-21 season while playing for Beşiktaş.
His nickname among Rockets fans and media is 'The Sultan of Post.'
“I am a center. My game is in the paint, with my back to the basket.”
