Sengun shines as Turkey claims EuroBasket silver while Rockets fans anticipate his NBA brilliance
Turkey’s quest for its first gold medal at EuroBasket culminated in a championship showdown against a heavily favored Germany on Sunday afternoon. From the opening tip, the game was tightly contested, with Turkey holding a narrow 46-40 advantage at halftime. However, the second half presented a different narrative as Turkey was outscored 48-37, ultimately suffering a five-point defeat.
Alperen Sengun was the standout performer for Turkey, delivering an impressive 28 points, along with three rebounds and three assists. His contribution was vital, but he was not alone in the scoring department; Cedi Osman added 23 points, making him one of three Turkish players to finish in double figures. Germany’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc proved to be a decisive factor, as they connected on 14 of 26 attempts (53.8%). Additionally, Turkey faced challenges on the boards, losing the rebound battle by ten.
Despite the disappointment of falling short in the title match, Sengun and the Turkish squad can take pride in their overall performance at EuroBasket. This silver medal marks a significant achievement for Turkey, only the second time they have reached this stage, with their previous silver coming in 2001, led by NBA veteran Hedo Turkoglu.
Sengun’s tournament performance was nothing short of spectacular. He finished seventh in points per game, averaging 21.6, while also ranking fourth in rebounds at 10.1. His playmaking ability was on full display, as he averaged 6.6 assists per game, tying for third overall among all players in the tournament.
As Rockets fans look forward to the upcoming NBA season, there is palpable excitement surrounding Sengun’s potential to translate his EuroBasket success to the professional stage. The 23-year-old center is poised to build on his first All-Star campaign, during which he averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. Teammate Amen Thompson, just 22 years old, is also expected to make significant strides after being named to the All-Defensive First Team in his sophomore season.
With the recent trade of Jalen Green to acquire Kevin Durant, the Rockets are gearing up for what could be another strong season following their impressive 52-win campaign last year. The anticipation surrounding Sengun’s development and the team’s overall potential is palpable, as fans eagerly await the start of the new season.
