NBA star Alperen Şengün spoke: “If I wasn’t a basketball player, I would be a football player”

He is improving every day. Some say it will be ‘GOAT’ (Greatest of all time), others talk about his unique moves. Alperen Şengün left Giresun at the age of 12 and started his basketball career at Banvit Basketball Club. Then he played in Bandırma. He showed himself in Beşiktaş in 2020. In the Basketball Super League of the year 2020-2021, he was selected as the most valuable player of the season at the age of 20 and became the youngest basketball player to receive this title. In 2021, he was selected 16th in the first round of the American Basketball League (NBA) auditions. While the Texas team made a name for himself with his performance in the Houston Rockets, he made his mark in NBA history as the youngest center to pass 1,000 points and 200 assists. He became the top scorer of the match with his performance against the San Antonio Spurs. “The reason I came here is because of my greed. I’ve fought all my life on the basketball court. I didn’t listen to a stronger or better player than me. “I always fought against them,” he says. Here is the interview that NBA star Alperen Şengün gave to Hürriyet.

We also know your ties to Giresun from your jersey number (Giresun’s plate code: 28). Did you play basketball on the street in your childhood?

Yes, I grew up on the street anyway. I can say that I did everything on the street, I played football and basketball on the street… Frankly, I learned about life on the street.

When you say Banvit, Bandırma, you continued to show yourself in Beşiktaş. You became the MVP (Most valuable player) in the Basketball Super League and then you were selected in the NBA auditions. What is the secret of your rapid progress at such a young age?

When I transferred to Beşiktaş, I changed my whole life. Because I knew this was a great opportunity for me. I took my family with me, changed my eating pattern and my whole working mentality.

Does being younger than some basketball players make you feel pressured?

No. I’ve already played against older guys my whole life. That’s why there is no pressure on me, I even focus better on my game.

‘I need to improve my shot’

We got used to ball control, footwork, your view of the game and the famous Şengün fakes (deceiving the opponent). What areas do you think you need to improve yourself?

I know I need to improve my shooting, I’m trying to shoot and defend. I’m also working on the quickness of the feet. Other than that, we work all the time (laughs)…

You have been in America for a long time. Could you adapt to the culture and life of that place?

When I first came, my English was really challenging for me, but I got used to it as a life because I am an energetic and harmonious person. At first, it was difficult to follow the match schedule and play a match every 2-3 days. Because we were playing one or two matches a week in Turkey. But as time passed, I got used to it, both mentally and physically.

What did the NBA mean to you when you were a kid? Did you imagine yourself here?

I didn’t have a dream like the NBA until I was 14-15, you can’t think of it because… I was doing all sports, but after a while I started to focus on basketball because I realized that this will be my life. But I couldn’t even imagine that I would come here. Of course, if I look back now, it’s a big thing… You see the life and organizations here, you can’t believe it. If they told me ‘you’re going to the NBA’ when I was younger, I wouldn’t believe it. But I am here now.

‘My life was basketball’

I’m sure there were names you saw as your idols in the NBA when you were young. Now you are the idol of others. What would be your advice to basketball players in the youth?

This is very happy for me. Honestly, my life was basketball. There was really nothing else I did. Whatever the conditions, I recommend them to work, to challenge… That’s how my life was. Training was over, I was playing one-on-one with the adults again, we were playing matches. I was always choosing the better ones so that I could improve…

Do you have a ritual before and after the match, what is your must-have?

Frankly, I used to be a ritualistic person when I was in Istanbul and Bandırma. I would try to do exactly what I was doing before every match. But now I try not to care too much. I listen to music, I do my stretches. I don’t have anything special right now.

‘European coaches are more difficult’

Do you think there is a difference between coaches in Turkey and NBA coaches? If so, how did you overcome these differences?

I think European coaches are harder, because they are tougher. In America, coaches leave everything to more players. So my adaptation process was easy. I even experienced a gap when I first came. Because I grew up with tough coaches.

How do you overcome difficulties, what is your source of motivation?

Frankly, sometimes when I play really bad games, I get quite nervous and angry with myself. I play video games to distract myself. Because you can get angry in the video game (laughs).

Your style is talked about as much as your game, do you have a style consultant?

I don’t have a style consultant, they ask here too. I trust the opinions of those around me very much, I ask them. But I don’t have a stylist, I shop myself and I love shopping. I get messages from many stylists, but I haven’t accepted any of them at the moment.

You’ve been compared to Nikola Jokic, who was the MVP for the second year in a row. Do you sample it? Do you like being compared to him?

Of course, I like analogies. My game is similar to Jokic’s, everyone says it. We have a good relationship, we talk at matches. Our management company in America is the same. It’s always a pleasure for me to play with him.

In the Suns game, double-double (reaching double digits in both of the statistical categories) 10 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists… In the past few days, you have gone down in NBA history as the youngest center to surpass the threshold of 200 assists and 1000 points. What kind of feeling is that?

It will be a good memory for me, I am happy. They look at statistics a lot. In addition, what you do on the field and what you add to the team is also very important.

The goat photo you shared on social media recently was shared as ‘GOAT’ (greatest of all time). Do you think it will? Do you read the good and bad reviews about you?

Of course, I am reading, one has to accept both the good and the bad in life. There is a Turkish farm and restaurant here. I go every day off, I have breakfast. I have a good time with the animals. I already have 2 dogs, I love animals. The GOAT thing is a big one (laughs). They say it as a joke, but I will do my best to be one of the best in my position. Honestly, the reason I came here is because of my greed. I’ve fought all my life on the basketball court, I didn’t say stronger or better player than me, I was always ready to fight more. It’s in my soul, it’s in my family too. We have a fighting spirit as a family.

‘I want to prove that young people in Turkey can come’

You have an incredible fan base in Turkey, as well as in Houston… What would you like to say to them here?

Stay tuned, I work every day to improve myself. I want to prove to everyone here that young people in Turkey can also come to the NBA and do better jobs. I hope it does.

Your slam dunk over Zach Collins has been fouled. In such situations, do you have more ambition or do you lose your mood?

Foul decisions make me a little sad. You shouldn’t wear it too much, but I wear it a little bit in matches. I hope I will overcome this too, but we have nothing to do against the referees.

SHORT BRIEF

Who is the person you get along with best in the team?

Eric Gordon.

What do you miss most in Turkey?

I miss the food and my friends so much.

Series and movies you can’t give up…

Series ‘Narcos’, Movie ‘Harry Potter.’

The song you can’t stop…

Ezhel’s songs.

If you weren’t a basketball player…

I would be a football player.

The three things you enjoy doing the most…

Playing basketball, playing video games, shopping.