Young Rockets center Alperen Sengun earns respect of veteran Jonas Valanciunas

HOUSTON — Coming into the two-game home series against the New Orleans Pelicans always appeared to be a tough battle for the young and upcoming Rockets. Although they had previously won back-to-back games against two teams currently slated to be a part of the 2023 NBA playoffs, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans presented a conundrum for the home team.

Their ability to score from the perimeter with solid tandem in CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, all while having a strong low-post presence in Jonas Valančiūnas, has often caused issues for Houston.

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Houston split the weekend series, but the games were more than just about the results. Instead, it was about a young Rockets team growing and developing as the 2022-23 season dwindles to a close.

In the NBA, it’s not easy being a 20-year-old player in his second season who is still learning the game. That’s especially the case when tasked with matching up against a very physical and crafty 10-year veteran who knows all the tricks to score and draw fouls in the paint.

That’s what Rockets starting center Alperen Sengun was asked to do against Valančiūnas. The Turkish big man was going to be difficult when he saw the games on the schedule, and he was up for the challenge — no matter what the outcomes would be.

“He is playing hard, and he is talented,” said New Orleans Pelicans center Jonás Valančiūnas about Alperen Sengun. #Sarge #Rockets @TheRocketsWire @alperennsengun @HoustonRockets pic.twitter.com/nZASaBR3qO

— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) March 20, 2023

Although Valančiūnas won the two-game battle on the interior by averaging 21.5 points and 14.5 rebounds per game, Sengun made him work hard for the majority of each game.

“I told him after the game that I thought his effort on the defensive end was his best effort all season,” Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said of Sengun following Sunday’s game. “I was really proud of Alpi and his defensive effort tonight.”

Silas wasn’t the only one who recognized Sengun’s work. His opponent acknowledged the work of Houston’s young center, as well.

“He is playing hard, and he is talented,” said Valančiūnas. “He has a bright future. If he is going to keep working and keep doing what he does, he is going to be good. We were battling, and he is not backing down, and that is what I like. He is tough, and if he is going to continue doing that, he is going to be good, for sure.”