HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed center Alperen Sengun to a contract extension. He was the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and will be 22 years old for the duration of the upcoming season.
"Alperen has established himself as one of the game’s great young big men,” said Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone. “He plays the game with a contagious joy and flair that is truly unique. We believe in the person and player that he is and even moreso, we believe in the person and player that he is becoming. We are really excited about our future together.”
Last season, Sengun averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.21 steals, up from 14.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 3.9 apg and 0.93 spg in 2022-23 and 9.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.6 apg and 0.82 spg as a rookie in 2021-22.
The Turkish native is one of 11 players in NBA history who averaged at least 20.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 5.0 apg in a season while shooting 50.0% or better (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3x, Giannis Antetokounmpo 6x, Charles Barkley once, Larry Bird 5x, Wilt Chamberlain 4x, Joel Embiid once, Kevin Garnett 2x, Nikola Jokić 5x, Oscar Robertson once, and Domantas Sabonis once).
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The Houston Rockets today also announced they have signed guard Jalen Green to a contract extension. He was selected second overall in the 2021 NBA Draft and turned 22 years old on Feb. 9.
“We couldn’t be prouder of the growth Jalen has shown since becoming a part of the Rockets,” said Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone. “He is an extraordinary talent with an equally extraordinary work ethic. We look forward to his continued development as a pivotal part of our future.”
This past season, Green started every game for the Rockets while averaging 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 3-pointers made. He was only first, second or third year player in 2023-24 to have averaged at least 18.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg and 2.0 3FGM.
Over the final 41 games, Green averaged 22.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.0 apg and 1.02 spg after averaging 17.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.1 apg and 0.58 spg the first 41 games of the season. He recorded seven double-doubles in 2023-24, including one triple-double, after not having any over his first two seasons.
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