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Turkiye has announced its preliminary roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup European qualifiers, with Ergin Ataman preparing a deep and talent-filled squad for the next international window. The Turkish national team will feature a mix of EuroLeague players, young prospects, and NBA talent as they continue their strong run in Group C. The biggest names on the roster are NBA players Alperen Sengun and Adem Bona. Ataman's squad also includes several experienced EuroLeague and national team regulars.
Alperen Sengun attended the EuroLeague Final Four in Athens before the semifinal matchup between Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Olympiacos Piraeus. Speaking before tipoff, Sengun reacted to the packed arena and the energy created by European basketball fans. "I know, it's great. You know, you miss this atmosphere out here, so we don't have this out there, but, you know, it's amazing to see," he said during the EuroLeague's pre-game show. "That's why people came to see, and, you know, I'm excited to see it."
The Turkish center came to Athens to support Fenerbahce after Houston's playoff run ended earlier than expected. "You know, unfortunately, we got eliminated in the first round, which is, you know, it was really upsetting for us, but, you know, I came to support the Fenerbahce, and same as well, I wanted to support my coach, Ergin Ataman, but, unfortunately, he's not here. Hopefully next year, but, you know, I'm excited to be here to support my team, Fenerbahce."
Alperen Sengun supporting Fenerbahce in the EuroLeague Final Four 🗣️🇹🇷pic.twitter.com/kuRzOmgvkv
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) May 22, 2026
The EuroLeague Final Four in Athens is set to get extra attention off the court, with NBA star Alperen Sengun attending the biggest weekend of the European basketball season, per EuroLeague.
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Ayton, who certainly played to his $8.1 million contract this season, had a strong first-round series against Houston All-Star Alperen Şengün. He could opt out to try to find a bigger payday with the Lakers or elsewhere. Smart, whom Dončić recruited in free agency, could opt out of his deal and seek a longer-term contract. The Lakers have interest in retaining him.
Who is the league’s most overrated player? (2026 Poll): Alperen Sengun, 12.3%. 81 votes. Alperen Sengun earned his second All-Star nod this season and helped lead the Houston Rockets to the fifth seed in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. His stats of 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game and four triple-doubles are impressive. Why all the skepticism from his peers? That’s a question that we cannot fully answer, but perhaps this comment from one of the players who voted for him sheds some light on things: “He's crying every play. He's talented, but, dude, just play hard.” While it is true that Şengün does not have a reputation as a particularly strong defender, with Amen Thompson and Tari Eason strongly defending on the perimeter, the Rockets finished the season sixth in defensive rating.
It should be noted, however, that this question was once again one that players were least willing to answer, with 81 votes cast. To put that into perspective, although Şengün was the top vote-getter, he only received 10 votes. “I was part of the group that said Tyrese Haliburton for most overrated, and what he did in the playoffs last year was unreal,” one of this poll’s non-voters told us. “So I'm not saying (who I think is overrated). We have a lot of really good players in this league.” Another player who was asked the question but declined to answer said: “That’s one I would put my name on. I don’t want to crush a guy silently. I ain’t that type of guy.”
Ayton averaged 11.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in 31 minutes per game in the Lakers’ first-round series, mostly out-playing Rockets center Alperen Şengün. Nikola Jokić, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jayson Tatum and Şengün were the only other players to average at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in the first round. “DA’s had a great season. He was instrumental in us getting past Houston,” Redick said. “I think his … his, like, baseline of who he is every day for the last two, two and a half months has been awesome. And I know his teammates, certainly the staff, we’ve all embraced him all season long. Again, he’s the person that changes our ceiling the most.”
James' 139 total points in the series led both teams; the closest player to James in scoring in the series was Houston's Alperen Sengun, who scored 122 total points. This is another longevity record that James has taken from a fellow Laker legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Lakers legend owned the record since 1985-86 when, in the second round of the playoffs, he scored 176 total points over six games (29.3 points per game).
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Varun Shankar: Rafael Stone and Ime Udoka both say this team should have won more games. Stone called the season frustrating. Didn't say firmly if team would make big moves but said even if HOU doesn't, expects growth from young players (mentioned Tari Eason, Jabari Smith, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard) to lead to addnl success.
As fondly as they still regarded Harden, there was a wariness about how he would affect the development of Sengun, Sheppard and Thompson. "We're not really looking for a heliocentric player, as great as James still is," one team source said. "We want to develop Reed, we want to develop Amen and we want the ball in Alpy's hands." As another said, "We weren't going to put the ball in [Harden's] hands, so why would you trade for James if you're not going to give him the ball?"
Alperen Sengun, who entered the season with high expectations, had an inconsistent fifth season. His efficiency wasn’t where it needs to be for a big man who commands so much of the offense and his defense was middling. In Game 6, Los Angeles didn’t send help and let Şengün attack one-on-one with Ayton. The Rockets big man finished 5-for-12 with four turnovers. Media and fans have floated his name around as a potential centerpiece if the Rockets go star-hunting. His reaction to that? “I cannot do anything about those conversations. It is what it is,” he said. "… Wherever I go or… if I stay here, I’m just going to stay with it. I’m going to do what I’m doing. Same goals. Same everything.”
Deandre Ayton, often maligned for his inconsistent effort, has been a force in the postseason, averaging 11.8 points and 10.8 rebounds while often guarding Rockets All-Star Alperen Sengun one-on-one. “He’s been saying it all year: ‘Wait till I get to the playoffs,’” Smart said of Ayton. “It’s a different side of him that fans haven’t seen, that we expect, that we know he can give. He knows it and he’s ready.”
