Sengun's Unstoppable Rise: A New Era in European Basketball
Sengun's Unprecedented Statistical Achievements at EuroBasket 2025
Alperen Sengun has emerged as the defining player of EuroBasket 2025, with his remarkable statistical output constantly dominating tournament updates. His contributions have been so significant that they've been playfully dubbed the 'Alperen Sengun Alert System.' Against Greece, he achieved several historic milestones, becoming the first player in three decades to record over 150 points, 50 rebounds, and 50 assists in a single EuroBasket tournament. He now shares the record for most double-doubles by a Turkish player with six and leads the entire competition in points scored in the paint, surpassing even Giannis Antetokounmpo. Sengun has also matched Luka Doncic's record for games with at least 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, and uniquely stands alone with five games featuring 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists over the last 30 years.
Widespread Acclaim for the Turkish Phenom
The 23-year-old's extraordinary performance has led to him being hailed as the new Turkish emperor of European basketball by both the media and fans. His coach, Ergin Ataman, jokingly underscored Sengun's dominance, suggesting that with Sengun on his team, they could even defeat the Houston Rockets. Opponent Kristaps Porzingis praised Sengun's unique ability to maneuver around defenders and his exceptional passing skills, likening him to a younger Nikola Jokic. Turkish teammate Kenan Sipahi emphasized Sengun's crucial role within the team, while also crediting the collective effort that allows him to excel. Even on days when his scoring faltered, like against Greece, Sengun's impact was undeniable, as he continued to contribute significantly through assists and overall play, with coach Ataman even calling him potentially the best passing big man in the NBA.
A Team-First Mentality Fuels Individual Brilliance
Despite his individual accolades, Sengun remains firmly focused on team success. He consistently states his commitment to doing whatever it takes to secure a victory. Following a triple-double in the Quarter-Finals against Poland, he humbly downplayed his personal achievement, emphasizing that winning was his primary objective. On the court, Sengun proves incredibly difficult to defend. His strength allows him to overpower single defenders under the basket, as demonstrated against Giannis Antetokounmpo. When double-teamed, he expertly finds open teammates with his exceptional passing. He also demonstrated his shooting prowess by confidently hitting four three-pointers against Serbia when left open, acknowledging the necessity of making those shots for his team to compete.
From Promising Youth to Dominant Force
Sengun's journey to basketball stardom has been a steady progression. His talent was recognized early, notably in 2018 at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket, where he led Türkiye to a third-place finish. His success continued with Bandirma and Besiktas before his move to the NBA. Few, however, anticipated such rapid and overwhelming dominance. Sengun attributes part of his confidence to working with coach Ataman during summers, appreciating how the coach utilizes his versatile skills across both offense and defense. Off the court, Sengun's infectious energy is evident; he was seen enthusiastically singing his national team's anthem, "On Iki Dev Adam," before games, with its inspiring line, "Şampiyon olacağız" – We will be champions. With just one game remaining, Sengun aims to make that declaration a realit
