Alperen Şengün didn’t simply play basketball this season – he rewrote his personal legacy.
In a spectacular fourth yr within the NBA, the 22-year-old Houston Rockets heart dazzled followers and analysts alike, averaging a double-double, incomes his first All-Star choice, guiding his crew to the No. 2 seed within the Western Conference, and securing a record-breaking contract – all whereas etching his identify among the many league’s elite.
First payoffs
Şengün’s profession hits new heights because the Rockets return to the postseason, thanks largely to his constant brilliance.
With a 52-30 document, Houston clinched second place within the West.
The Rockets now await the winner of the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies play-in conflict.
It might be Şengün’s first playoff look – and it’s lengthy overdue.
All-star recognition
His dominance didn’t go unnoticed.
Şengün grew to become solely the second Turkish participant in NBA historical past (after Mehmet Okur) to play in an All-Star Game.
Suiting up for Team Chuck, he chipped in 4 factors and 1 rebound in his debut.
Dominating stat strains
Şengün closed out the common season with averages of 19.1 factors, 10.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.8 blocks.
It marked the primary time he completed a season averaging a double-double. His highest-scoring efficiency got here towards the Timberwolves, the place he dropped a career-high 38 factors.
In complete, he recorded 45 double-doubles and 4 triple-doubles this season, pushing his profession triple-double tally to eight.
Among his standout triple-double performances:
16 factors, 10 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Clippers
20 factors, 10 rebounds, 11 assists vs. Bulls
22 factors, 10 rebounds, 11 assists vs. Timberwolves
17 factors, 14 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Nuggets
He additionally cracked the highest 10 within the league for each complete rebounds and offensive boards.
Player of the week and history-making contract
In Week 6 of the season, Şengün was named Western Conference Player of the Week – his second profession choice.
But maybe the largest slam dunk got here off the courtroom: at season’s begin, he inked a five-year, $185 million cope with the Rockets – the highest-earning contract in Turkish sports activities historical past.
Source: www.dailysabah.com