Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka praised Alperen Sengun’s impact at EuroBasket 2025 as the Turkish big man continues to showcase an all-around game on the international stage.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated’s Lachard Binkley, Udoka said, via ClutchPoints, “For him, we want him to work on specific things. The way they guard him over in EuroBasket, he’s doing a great job of getting high assist numbers, being very efficient. … [He also] had some really big end of the game plays defensively that won them games it’s great to see the work he put in be rewarded.”
Sengun has been at the center of Turkey’s unbeaten run through Group A, where the team finished 5-0, including a statement win over Serbia. His performances have carried into the knockout rounds, with Turkey defeating Sweden and Poland to secure a semifinal matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece tonight at 21:00 local time (20:00 CET).
Across seven games, Sengun is averaging 21.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per contest while shooting 59.6 percent from the field. He has also contributed 2.7 steals plus blocks combined, underlining his defensive presence.
His standout performance came against Serbia, where he posted 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists in 36 minutes, powering Turkey to a 95–90 victory that sealed first place in their group.
Sengun’s versatility has been a focal point of Turkey’s success. He has scored efficiently inside, attacked from mid-range, and drawn contact at the line, converting 76.7 percent of his free throws. His vision as a passer has been equally vital, with 50 assists recorded in the tournament so far.
The Rockets center, who averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists during the 2024–25 NBA season, is building on his first playoff appearance with Houston, where he posted 20.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game in seven contests.
Udoka emphasized that Sengun’s progress in FIBA competition could translate directly into Houston’s system. The coach highlighted both his playmaking against different defensive coverages and his late-game defensive stops as valuable growth points for the 23-year-old.
Turkey will now test Sengun against one of the toughest matchups of the tournament in Antetokounmpo. The semifinal promises to pit two of Europe’s most productive frontcourt players against each other with a spot in the EuroBasket final on the line.
