Sengun, who likely finished the season after suffering a grade 3 right ankle sprain, has established himself as one of the NBA’s best big men in 2023-24.
“The talent level is real,” Udoka said. “That’s what you see on film and play against, and he’s taken a step forward so far.” Competitiveness and facing specific matchups from day one. I think he’s improved defensively in all areas, some of the things and challenges we’ve presented to him. He’s not even close to hitting his ceiling and he still has a ways to go, but he’s had a great year and his future is bright.
Sengun averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season while shooting 53.7% from the field, 29.7% from beyond the arc and 69.3% from the free throw line. He recorded 29 double-doubles and two triple-doubles in 63 games.
‘It’s not like a thing,’ Rockets guard and NBA champion Fred VanVleet said. “I’m just getting to know his personality on and off the field. A lot of times, who you are as a person shows through your playing. When you look at someone from afar, you kind of see them, but when you get to know them, it makes sense. I see him coming with the long mink coats and all that, he has that flair. He gave him gifts, it was more euros than anything else, but it was good to build a relationship with him. He’s a great guy and he just wants to be great. Learning that part of him was fun for me.
Sengun has career averages of 14.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He was the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Rockets can sign Sengun to a rookie-level extension this summer. All signs point to this happening.
“He’s very modest,” Rockets forward Dillon Brooks said. “He plays hard, he learns, he’s a sponge. I didn’t know how good he was until I started playing with him. He has more facets to his game and he is resilient. He will come back stronger.
