Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is one of one. But it is looking more and more that the Houston Rockets may have someone who is at least a close approximation of the Serbian big man.
He is none other than Alperen Sengun, whose rise over the past two seasons has been nothing short of, pardon the pun, meteoric. In 22 games in this 2024–25 NBA Season so far, Sengun has put up 19.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks.
That production is hardly surprising and is, in fact, very Jokic-like—at least during the same three-year stretch at the beginning of their careers. In Jokic’s first three seasons, he averaged 14.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks. Sengun, on the other hand, put up 14.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks.
Those are eerily similar numbers—enough to call the Turkish big as somewhat of a Nikola Jokic Lite. Sengun, though, is still just 22 and has his entire career ahead of him. Given the trajectory he’s taking, it shouldn’t be a surprise if he follows in the footsteps of Jokic—and even surpass him ultimately. It’s a big if at this point, but Sengun is certainly off to a good start and is ready for lift-off.
