NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal recently drew comparisons between Houston Rockets’ rising talent Alperen Sengun and former NBA star Pau Gasol.
Reflecting on Sengun’s game, Shaq remarked, “He reminds me of a young Pau Gasol when he first came out,” highlighting the Turkish rookie’s promising skill set and basketball IQ. “A guy that is really fundamentally sound, can do things like this.”
O’Neal’s assessment came as he observed Sengun’s performance in a recent game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, noting the young center’s fundamental prowess and ability to make high-percentage plays.
Drawing parallels with Gasol’s early career, Shaq emphasized Sengun’s knack for securing extra possessions and his patience in executing plays, traits reminiscent of the former Spanish star.
“Extra possession right there, takes his time right there, high percentage pass. I really like this guy,” the four-time NBA champion said.
Expressing his admiration for Sengun’s potential, Shaq expressed a desire to see the talented center surrounded by a stronger supporting cast. He suggested that with a more talented team, akin to the Los Angeles Lakers, Sengun could thrive even further and contribute significantly to his team’s success.
“I would like to see him on a better team. If he was on like, L.A. or a team that has a lot of talent around him, they would definitely do well,” O’Neal added.
Now in his third year in the NBA, the 21-year-old Sengun has been making waves with his strong performance on the court, averaging 21.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game in 32.5 minutes of play.
