A league-wide anonymous player survey has placed Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun at the top of one of the NBA’s most debated categories, according to The Athletic.
From 161 players surveyed across North America, only 81 responded to the “most overrated” question, making it one of the least answered sections of the annual poll.
Despite the limited sample, Sengun still led the category with 10 votes, narrowly ahead of several established veterans frequently mentioned in the same discussion.
The Rockets big man is coming off a strong individual season, earning his second All-Star selection while guiding Houston to the fifth seed in the Western Conference. He averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, along with four triple-doubles across the regular season.
His production placed him among the most productive passing centers in the league, with Houston finishing sixth in defensive rating despite questions about his individual defensive impact.
One anonymous player cited competitiveness concerns when explaining the vote. The comment read: “He’s crying every play. He’s talented, but, dude, just play hard.”
The feedback reflects a recurring theme in scouting discussions around Sengun, where offensive skill is widely acknowledged but defensive consistency remains a debated factor.
Houston’s perimeter defense, anchored by Amen Thompson and Tari Eason, has often been used to balance interior responsibilities, helping stabilize the team’s defensive profile across the season.
The Rockets’ campaign ended in the first round of the playoffs after a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, preventing a deeper postseason run that could have reshaped perceptions around their young core.
League history shows how volatile the “most overrated” label can be. Tyrese Haliburton previously led the category before guiding the Indiana Pacers to an NBA Finals appearance, shifting the narrative around his impact.
Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert and Washington’s Trae Young followed Sengun in this year’s voting, both familiar names in previous editions of the poll. Gobert anchored a top-tier defensive unit, while Young’s season was limited by injuries.
Karl-Anthony Towns (7.4%), Paolo Banchero (4.9%), and Ja Morant (4.9%) were other top vote-getters
At 23 years old, Sengun remains one of the youngest All-Star-level centers in the league, with Houston still building around his offensive creation, post scoring, and playmaking development.
