History of Alperen Şengün in Timeline

Alperen Şengün is a Turkish professional basketball player currently playing for the Houston Rockets in the NBA. Drafted 16th overall in 2021, Şengün is known for his advanced footwork, passing, and playmaking abilities as a center. He also represents the Turkish national team. He was named to his first NBA All-Star Game in 2025, solidifying his status as a rising star in the league.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1973: Fifth player with 45-plus points, 15-plus rebounds and 5-plus steals

Since 1973, Alperen Şengün became the fifth player to total 45-plus points, 15-plus rebounds and 5-plus steals in a game in March 2024.

1984: Hakeem Olajuwon's record

In 1984, Hakeem Olajuwon set a record that was later broken by Alperen Şengün in January 2023, when Şengün became the youngest player in Rockets history to record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a game.

1985: Rodney McCray record

In 1985, Rodney McCray set a record that was later broken by Alperen Şengün on November 20, 2023. Şengün became the youngest Rockets player to reach 2,000-plus points, 1,000-plus rebounds and 500-plus assists.

1993: Shaquille O'Neal's record

In 1993, Shaquille O'Neal set a record that was later surpassed by Alperen Şengün in January 2023. Şengün became the youngest center in NBA history to record at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a game, surpassing O'Neal.

July 2002: Birth of Alperen Şengün

On 25 July 2002, Alperen Şengün was born in Giresun, Turkey. Although his parents wanted him to be a swimmer, he was inspired by his older brother to pursue basketball.

Others born on this day/year

2009: Mehmet Okur's highest single-game score

In 2009, Mehmet Okur previously scored 43 points. On March 5, 2024, Alperen Şengün surpassed Okur's record for the highest single-game score by a Turkish player in the NBA, scoring 45 points.

August 2014: Signed youth contract with Banvit

In August 2014, Alperen Şengün signed a youth contract with Banvit, a Turkish club, after moving to Bandırma.

2017: Turkish Basketball Youth League establishment

The Turkish Basketball Youth League championship was established in 2017, a year before Alperen Şengün won it with Banvit's juniors.

2018: FIBA Under-16 European Championship

In 2018, Alperen Şengün competed with the Turkish under-16 national team at the FIBA Under-16 European Championship held in Novi Sad, Serbia, winning the bronze medal. He was also selected to the All-Tournament Team.

2018: Began professional club career with Bandırma Kırmızı

In 2018, Alperen Şengün started his professional career with Bandırma Kırmızı in the Turkish First League (TBL).

2018: FIBA Under-17 World Cup

In 2018, Alperen Şengün was part of the Turkish under-17 national team that competed at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina, where the team finished in fifth place. During the tournament, he averaged 15.9 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.

2018: Won Turkish Basketball Youth League championship

In the 2018–19 season, Alperen Şengün won the Turkish Basketball Youth League championship while competing with Banvit's juniors and was also named the league's MVP.

2019: Joined Teksüt Bandırma

In 2019, Alperen Şengün joined Teksüt Bandırma in the Turkish Super League (BSL).

2019: Played in FIBA Basketball Champions League

In 2019, Alperen Şengün participated in the FIBA Basketball Champions League, one of Europe's secondary-level basketball competitions.

2019: FIBA Under-18 European Championship

In 2019, Alperen Şengün participated in the FIBA Under-18 European Championship with the Turkish under-18 national team, winning the silver medal. He was selected to the All-Tournament Team. He averaged 11.9 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.

August 2020: Signed with Beşiktaş

In August 2020, Alperen Şengün signed a three-year contract with the Turkish club Beşiktaş.

November 2020: Joins Senior Turkish National Team

In November 2020, Alperen Şengün joined the senior Turkish national team and played in the 2022 EuroBasket Qualifiers. He averaged 12.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in four games.

2020: Played in FIBA Europe Cup

In 2020, Alperen Şengün played with Beşiktaş in the FIBA Europe Cup, a fourth-level European-wide competition.

May 2021: Named BSL MVP and Entered NBA draft

On May 12, 2021, Alperen Şengün was named the MVP of the Basketball Super League (BSL) regular season and announced his decision to enter the 2021 NBA draft on the same day.

August 2021: Signed with the Houston Rockets

On August 7, 2021, Alperen Şengün signed a contract with the Houston Rockets after being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and subsequently traded.

2021: NBA draft and joining Houston Rockets

In 2021, Alperen Şengün was selected as the 16th overall pick in the NBA draft. He was then traded to the Houston Rockets and joined the team.

March 2022: Scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds against Lakers

On March 9, 2022, Alperen Şengün scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a 139–130 overtime win against the Los Angeles Lakers. Then, on March 26, he scored a then-career-high 27 points along with seven rebounds in a 115–98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

September 2022: EuroBasket 2022

In September 2022, Alperen Şengün played at EuroBasket 2022, leading the Turkish team in points (16.8 per game) and rebounds (8.2 per game). Turkey was eliminated in the round of 16 after losing to France in overtime.

November 2022: Recorded 21 points and 19 rebounds against Thunder

On November 26, 2022, Alperen Şengün recorded 21 points and a then-career-high 19 rebounds in a 118–105 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

January 2023: First career triple-double and career-high 33 points

In January 2023, Alperen Şengün achieved his first career triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Sacramento Kings. Later in the month, he scored a career-high 33 points against the Los Angeles Lakers and he also became the youngest player in Rockets history to record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a game, breaking Hakeem Olajuwon's record set in 1984. On January 25, he recorded his second career triple-double against the Washington Wizards.

October 2023: Rockets exercised Şengün's fourth-year option

On October 31, 2023, the Rockets announced that they exercised Şengün's fourth-year option.

January 2024: First NBA player of the week award and career high

During the week of January 1–7, 2024, Alperen Şengün was awarded his first career NBA player of the week award. On January 20, 2024, he tied his then-career high with 37 points. On January 21, he recorded his first triple-double of the season. On January 24, Şengün and teammate Jalen Green became the first duo in NBA history to score 30-plus points and 10-plus rebounds at 21 years or younger.

October 2024: Contract Extension

On October 21, 2024, Alperen Şengün and the Rockets agreed to a five-year, $185 million contract extension.

January 20, 2025: Şengün Records 1,000th Career Assist

On January 20, 2025, Alperen Şengün recorded his 1,000th career assist during a game against the Detroit Pistons. This achievement made him the youngest center in NBA history to reach this milestone.