Alperen Sengun talks about working with Thiago Splitter and Dirk Nowitzki’s influence

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 28: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets looks to pass the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on February 28, 2023 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net

The Houston Rockets are 6-3, sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference standings, marking one of the most pleasant surprises of the NBA season so far. A significant factor behind this positive start lies in the hands of the talented Turkish center, Alperen Sengun.

He is averaging 19.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and six assists on 60% shooting. It appears he is on a constant rise since his NBA debut in 2021.

Sengun credited assistant coach Thiago Splitter, who joined the Rockets coaching staff last summer, for certain improvements in his game.

Thiago helped me a lot. I improved my left hand with him because we are working a lot together. He’s a champion, experienced, and is teaching me a lot of things about mentality, games, and off the court,” Sengun said for Locked on Rockets, jokingly adding, “We got a deal; he teaches me all those things, and I was going to teach him some plays in the post-up.”

The talented Turkish player has added a one-legged fadeaway shot to his game.

I worked all summer on that shot, all the fadeaways, post-up, and mid-range shots. I didn’t use that in the preseason, but in the Orlando game, it just came naturally. And now I feel more comfortable. Every year you need to add something to your game. I’m attacking well, and when I’m dribbling, I can be dangerous. When players guarding me give me space, I can use that shot. I’m really dangerous in that shot, and it’s going to be really difficult to guard me.”

He even watched Dirk Nowitzki execute that kind of shot.

Of course, that’s kind of his move; he brought it to the NBA.”

Head coach Ime Udoka is giving him confidence to be even more productive on offense.

Coach Ime is telling me all the time to shoot when I’m wide open, to not let anyone tell me anything. He’s always giving me that confidence. Now I’m not taking that pump fake—if I’m wide open, I’m shooting it.

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