The start of the 2025-26 NBA preseason is just over a month away, and it won't be much longer after that when the regular-season tipoff will arrive. Houston Rockets fans are eagerly anticipating the season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder; however, the main reason behind the excitement surprisingly isn't the arrival of Kevin Durant.
Instead, it is the way Alperen Sengun has been looking in the offseason that has Rockets fans excited for what's to come. The All-Star center has been showcasing the new level he has hit this summer, completely dominating the competition so far at FIBA EuroBasket.
Rockets' Alperen Sengun Is the EuroBasket MVP So Far
Leading Türkiye to five wins in five games, including a nail-biter against Nikola Jokic's Serbia on Wednesday, Sengun has arguably been the MVP of the tournament so far. The 23-year-old big man is averaging 21.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game on .656/.462/.818 shooting splits.
The most exciting part of that stat line is the 46.2% from three. Against Jokic, the Turkish star hit four of his seven three-point attempts, demonstrating his expanded range. If he continues to hit shots at this rate, other aspects of his game will open up, making it easier for him to score on the inside.
Whenever Sengun has been on the court, Türkiye has been obliterating the opponents, highlighted by his average plus/minus rating of plus-17 through five games. He hopes to carry this momentum to the Round of 16 matchup against Sweden on Saturday as he is trying to will his country to a medal before returning to Houston for the season.
While the Rockets made blockbuster moves this summer that brought all eyes to Houston, it is Sengun who will decide how far the team goes next season. The young star took big strides last season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Much to the satisfaction of head coach Ime Udoka, Sengun proved that he could anchor an elite defense, earning an All-Star nod in the process.
During this improvement, however, Sengun's efficiency on the offensive side of the ball took a hit. He revealed that he has been working on his touch and shooting all summer, and it looks like it is already paying dividends.
If he can return to his efficiency from the first few seasons of his career, combined with his much better defensive ability, Sengun has the chance to be a true All-NBA caliber player as soon as next season, and the Rockets' outlook could skyrocket because of it.