It is rare for players to be honest about how disappointed they are for not making it to the All-Star Game. Rudy Gobert did it before but he got trolled for it. Alperen Sengun is going a different path. The only difference between them is that the Houston Rockets center did not cry.
The Turkish player admits that he has expectations that he is going to be an All-Star each season after making his debut last year. He is keeping his head high as he still believes in his capability.
“It’s my goal after last year to be an All-Star every year. It was disappointing for me, but it happens. We have a lot of talent in the league, and I’m still young,” he said.
“I’m going to make it (again) eventually.”
Sengun is currently averaging 21.4 points per game, higher than Chet Holmgren’s 17.7. The latter’s Oklahoma City Thunder, however, has a better record and the American has played four more games than him.
He was Rockets’ lone All-Star last season. This time though, they got Kevin Durant who was voted a starter. KD will play with recent Olympics Team USA members Lebron James and Stephen Curry for the group that will battle Team World under the new format.
Redemption starts now for Alperen Sengun
Sengun will have a to wait a full year to see if his star is among the brightest in the league. He’s work is starting now for that.
Rockets played the Pacers a day after the announcement of All-Star Game reserves and the 23-year-old pounced on the opponents by scoring 39 points and grabbing 16 rebounds to lead his team to the victory. KD missed that game after an ankle sprain the game before.
Sengun recognized how he struggled in January and so, he is taking on February with higher level of intensity and aggressiveness.
“January’s the past now. It’s the month of February, so I gotta wake up. I was sloppy last month. It is a new month, and I just need to dominate every game,” he said according to Vanessa Richardson of the Space City Home Network.
“I didn’t settle. Just kept attacking and attacking, finding my shot, and I got lucky today. KD wasn’t here, so I needed to be more aggressive today.”
For the latest Basketball Content
Make sure you are always updated on your favorite basketball players and teams. Follow us @HardwoodHeroics for the latest and trending news about NBA, college basketball, and more. Stay updated by reading more of our NBA articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!
