TI’s week 6 rookie ladder: OKC Thunder Giddey cements his place
No 5 – Alperen Sengun: Houston Rockets
Intentions have long had a vested interest in Alperen Sengun. He’ll forever have a link to the OKC Thunder since it was Sam Presti who selected him with the 16th pick, then traded him to the Rockets for two future draft picks.
While his statistics aren’t in line with the typical five on this board in terms of total production there is no denying his impact, efficiency, and full toolbox.
Sengun garners a spot on Intentions’ ladder this week for playing his role and delivering production across the board. Diving deeper into his contributions and his playing time also offer compelling reasons why the 19-year old should be considered in the mix of the elite five.
Rookie category rankings:
- Steals: 1.2 – third
- Blocks: 0.5 – tied fourth
- Double-doubles: one
- Offensive rebounds: 1.4 – fifth
- Rebounds: 4.7 – sixth
- Assists: 2.5 – sixth
- Field Goals Made: 2.9 – 10th
- Points: 8.5 – 10th
- Minutes per game: 18.2 – 13th
- Field Goal Percent: 49.1%
- 3-point percentage: 40.9%
Although it’s not always a directly relatable translation to look at per 36-minute stats it does provide insight into how much Sengun is doing. Because he’s only getting 18.2 minutes per game while the top five average around 30 to 35 minutes it offers the best comparison.
| Season | G | FG | FGA | 3P | 3PA | 2PA | 2P% | FT | FTA | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 19 | 5.7 | 11.7 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 9.4 | .511 | 4.5 | 6.8 | .662 | 2.8 | 6.7 | 9.5 | 5.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 16.9 |
| Career | 19 | 5.7 | 11.7 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 9.4 | .511 | 4.5 | 6.8 | .662 | 2.8 | 6.7 | 9.5 | 5.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 16.9 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/1/2021.
Using this scenario, Sengun would average 16.9 points, 9.5 rebounds (2.8 offensive boards), 5.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.0 blocks, and would be getting more free throws (6.8). On the negative side of the equation, he’d also be turning the ball over 4.0 times per match.
Even if we assume increased playing time wouldn’t necessarily result in the precise data outlined it’s still safe to assume his production would increase.
In week six Sengun played three matches against the Celtics, Bulls, and Hornets. He averaged 8.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.0 steals, and a block in 16.5 minutes. He shot 56.3 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from the perimeter.
As much as we are impressed by the production of Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, I believe Sam Presti had enough draft capital to get both Sengun and JRE. Until the draft picks convey that were received in that trade we won’t be able to decipher if it was the right decision.
However, with the uptick in stock for big men that can produce across the board and one that’s 19 years old – it just feels Sengun will always (at least in this corner of the universe) be eyed as ‘the one who got away” — or in this case was given away.