Houston Rockets’ Alperen Şengün selected 10th overall in “ultimate” re-draft

Alperen Sengun’s career year saw him finish third for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. However, had he not suffered a season-ending ankle injury, Sengun could have ended his third season with the award.

Still, despite falling short, Sengun had a career season in which he averaged 21.1 points on 53.7 percent shooting, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 63 games played. Sengun showed great improvement during his first season under coach Ime Udoka.

As a result, Bleacher Report’s Bryan Toporek recently completed the “ultimate” NBA re-draft, in which each of the league’s best young players find a new home. The Cleveland Cavaliers took Sengun 10th overall, solidifying his spot as one of the league’s best young players.

“Şengün set career highs across the board last year with 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.2 steals in just 32.5 minutes per game. Like Jokić, he’s a supernatural passer who can deliver dimes without looking, behind the back, like he’s a point guard in a 7-footer’s body,” — according to Toporek.

Sengun’s potential was on full display during the Rockets’ 13-point win over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on March 5. He scored a career-high 45 points, along with 16 rebounds, five steals and a block.

In May, Sengun vowed on social media that he would be “better” during the 2024-25 season, hoping to help the Rockets end their four-year playoff drought.

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