Why Alperen Sengun wants to bypass the nickname ‘Baby Jokic’

ByNBAUSA


Houston Rockets All-Star Alperen Sengun made a name for himself last season, earning his first All-Star nod as one of the NBA’s bright, young stars, and graduated to ‘Baby Jokic,’ a nickname inspired by the 3x MVP — Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic. The nickname came about during his rookie year. now, Sengun is one half of the dynamic duo along with All-Star Kevin Durant, playing with championship aspirations.

Sengun explained why he was ready drop the nickname and welcome the new, he urges, according to Chrono’s Michael Shapiro.

“I don’t care what people call me. I can’t stop them from calling me anything. But I have my own game,” Sengun said. “Yeah, we have similar things with (Nikola) Jokic, he was (a player I looked up to) when I came into the league. Now I have my own thing, I have my own team. We’re one of the best teams in the league. So, you know? Whatever they want to call me, I’m fine, but I’m writing my own story.”

Sengun is having his best season yet, averaging 23.4 points on 48.9% shooting, 10.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.0 blocks per game as he and Durant lead the Rockets to one of their best starts in franchise history. Houston is 10-3, third best in the Western Conference.

Alperen Sengun on his relationship with the Rockets’ Kevin Durant

Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) is congratulated by forward Kevin Durant (7) during the first quarter at Frost Bank Center
Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

After the Rockets All-Star Alperen Sengun watched Kevin Durant lead his team with a 30-point performance in a 140-116 win against the Trail Blazers, it was a reminder of what it’s like to play alongside one of the NBA’s elite scorers. As Sengun and Durant adjust to each other, Alperen isn’t worried about who makes the final shot in clutch situations.

After a 140-116 overtime win against the Magic, Sengun discussed the Rockets’ game with Durant at the end of regulation that sent the game into OT.

“I’m really happy to give someone the ball at the end of the game and know they’re going to score. It’s a really great feeling,” Sengun said. “I’m just ready to give him the ball and crash the boards. And trust him. It’s really amazing. He trusted me a lot at the end of games. So I can still make those shots, but now I trust KD a lot. And I still know I’m effective under the rim whether his shot misses or hits.”

The Rockets will host Jokic and the Nuggets on Friday.





2025-11-22 00:29:00

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