Şengün Sensation! Why He’s Rockets Best Center Since the Legendary Yao Ming
Ever since the Rockets relocated to Houston in 1971, the franchise has witnessed some of the most prolific centers in league history suit up in Southeast Texas.
Whether it be Elvin Hayes, Moses Malone Ralph Sampson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Yao Ming or Dwight Howard, the Rockets know how to produce top-tier big men as well as any organization in league history.
In 2021, the organization welcomed another budding big to its franchise — 19-year-old Alperen Şengün.
Four years later, the Giresun, Turkey, native has morphed into one of the more well-rounded centers across the association. His 18.8-point, 10.5-rebound, 4.9-assist campaign even earned him his first All-Star bid with the up-and-coming franchise.
With the bid, Şengün became the first Rocket to receive an All-Star nomination since James Harden and Russell Westbrook in 2019-20 as well as the first center to achieve such status since Howard in 2013-14.
Howard, who joined the franchise in 2013, took the center mantle from all-timer Yao Ming as the organization’s cornerstone big man for what appeared to be the foreseeable future. His 2016 departure, however, left a void that has yet to be filled by any player of his caliber.
At this time of his draft selection, Şengün clearly lacked the skill, size and experience to contend with any player of Howard’s caliber. But this season, he’s been a better player than Howard was in Houston.
While there’s no mistaking Howard’s interior dominance, Şengün is a more sophisticated offensive player. He’s averaged at least 2.6 assists in every season of his career, surpassing Howard’s career-best 1.9 dimes per game in ’07 and ’12. In fact, Şengün averages four helpers across 262 career games.
The numbers don’t do his production justice. As a center, he’s the offensive engine of a Rockets squad sitting at No. 4 in the NBA’s Western Conference just two games out of the No. 3 position. On a team with hyper-athletic wings like Amen Thompson and Jalen Green, having a center who can simultaneously attract defenders in the painted area and distribute at a high clip is a luxury. Howard could never do that.
Şengün has a long way to go before catching a player of Yao Ming’s stature, but the 22-year-old looks like he could be a perennial All-Star for Houston for the next decade.
Howard did reach a Western Conference Finals in 2014, something Şengün is likely a few years away from accomplishing. His Rockets, however, could be poised for a deep run if they avoid Denver in an early stage of this postseason.
