In a training match ahead of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 competition, Turkey and Alperen Sengun got the best of Jonas Valanciunas and Lithuania.
In a training match to prepare for the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket 2025 competition, Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun led Turkey to an 84-81 victory (box score) over Lithuania.
Sengun finished with a game-high 25 points and 5 rebounds while making 9-of-17 shots (52.9%) and 7-of-10 free throws (70.0%). It was an impressive performance versus Lithuania, whose roster features longtime NBA big man Jonas Valanciunas (now with the Denver Nuggets).
EuroHoops.net has additional details:
This was the first loss for Lithuania during training camp ahead of the EuroBasket.
Lithuania led 81-76 down the stretch after coming back from down 59-66 in the beginning of the fourth period. The game remained close until the last moments, where Turkey made the right plays to get the win.
Highlights are available below. Valanciunas finished with 10 points and 4 rebounds while making 3-of-8 shots (37.5%), and Lithuania went -11 in his 16 minutes.
Now 23 years old, Sengun earned his first career All-Star honors last season. Drafted by the Rockets in the 2021 first round, the Turkish big man played his way into a significant raise ($33.9 million in 2025-26) for his second NBA contract.