This offseason, the primary topic for the Houston Rockets has been their acquisition of superstar forward Kevin Durant. However, one former player turned analyst recently took the time to praise another key component of the roster.
Long before they were making big splashes in the trade market, the Rockets built a core littered with exciting young talent. Among the blue-chip prospects who have emerged from their rebuild is big man Alperen Sengun.
After being drafted 16th overall by the OKC Thunder in 2021, Sengun was traded to the Rockets before even stepping foot on an NBA court. Since arriving in Houston, he’s slowly developed into one of the league’s top big men.
Though his scoring took a slight dip last season, Sengun still secured the first All-Star nomination of his career. In his fourth campaign with the Rockets, the 23-year-old averaged 19.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 4.9 APG.
This offseason, Sengun is shining on the international stage for his home country of Turkey. As he continues to impress in the EuroBasket tournament, Kendrick Perkins went on NBA Today earlier this week and crowned him a top-five center in the NBA right now.
“It starts with baby Jokic,” Perkins said. “He is a top five big in the NBA. Not just because of the points, not just because of the rebounds and the assists, but he actually plays defense at a high level. Watch and see how great he is in the pick-and-roll.”
Perkins says Şengün’s ability to defend at a high level makes him a top-5 big
“He is a top 5 big in the NBA…Not just because of the points, not just because of the rebounds & the assists, but he actually plays defense at a high level.”
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 11, 2025
Still years away from his prime, there is no telling how much Sengun’s game can grow in the coming years. With him continuing to evolve as a playmaker in the frontcourt, he is starting to live up to the Jokic comparisons.
Even with their major roster changes this summer, Sengun is sure to be a pillar for the Rockets organization for the foreseeable future.
