It’s hard to describe the hype surrounding Alperen Sengun after his incredible EuroBasket performances. Even though Turkey came with a strong roster filled with current and former NBA players, nobody gave them much of a chance for a medal, not even with three-time EuroLeague champion Ergin Ataman on the bench.
But a 5-0 record and a massive win over Serbia were enough for FIBA to place them second in the updated FIBA Power Rankings heading into the knockout stage, just behind Germany. Still, despite the team’s overall quality, none of this would be possible without “Baby Jokic”, who isn’t much of a baby anymore. After outplaying his idol, the three-time NBA MVP, in a direct duel, Sengun showed the world he might just be the next big thing, immediately sparking talk of whether he’s Jokic’s legitimate successor.
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Sengun’s currently a frontrunner for MVP
Die-hard NBA fans are already familiar with Sengun’s game as he was an All-Star last season and led the Houston Rockets to second place in the West, right behind champion Oklahoma City Thunder. However, Alperen’s EuroBasket dominance, where he’s currently a frontrunner for MVP, combined with a new partnership with Kevin Durant, has raised expectations to another level.
Sengun himself knows his worth, and right now, he doesn’t see anyone in the NBA who can stop him one-on-one when he’s on his game.
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“I haven’t played against the toughest defensive player in the league because it’s just day to day. If I’m in my day, I feel like nobody can guard me, so that’s what I feel. But there’s a lot of good defenders in the NBA,” Sengun stressed.
It’s time for Alperen to make his own name
No one summed up his rise better than his national team teammate Shane Larkin. The former NBA point guard believes it’s time to stop calling him “Baby Jokic” and that only the sky is the limit for the Rockets center.
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“I think he’s proving during this tournament that he is ready to take that next step. Last year, he was an NBA All-Star, and I think he’s going to continue to, you know, grow and continue to become a better and better player and, you know, I think the sky’s the limit for him,” Larkin said with the utmost respect.
The EuroBasket will only boost his confidence
This might sound bold for someone who didn’t even average 20 points last season, but next to Jokic, Sengun looks like the center with the widest arsenal of post moves. His basketball IQ is so high that he punishes double teams with passes, just like his idol. Alperen’s footwork and back-to-the-basket game are elite, while his soft touch around the rim makes him an incredibly efficient scorer.
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The Turkish center’s confidence will be boosted by this tournament. Playing next to one of the greatest scorers of all time, KD, will unlock his offensive game on a whole new level, putting him in positions he never had before. On top of that, Sengun confirmed he’s been working on extending his three-point shot this summer, which could turn him into a nightmare matchup for the rest of the league next season.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.