In a soon-to-be-released interview with courtside reporter Vanessa Richardson of AT&T SportsNet Southwest, Ime Udoka was complimentary of several newly inherited players as part of his new position as head coach of the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets.
“I knew Kevin [Porter Jr.] and Jalen [Green] from scouting and playing against them two times, but those guys have grown in their own aspects,” Udoka said. “Then, looking down the roster, I didn’t understand as much about Tari [Eason], Jabari [Smith Jr.], Jae’Sean [Tate], and KJ [Martin]. There’s a ton of talent.”
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But after his initial film review of the Rockets, Udoka saved his best endorsement for young center Alperen Sengun. Statistically, the 20-year-old had a breakout year in his second NBA season:
Alperen Sengun is like a mini-Jokic [Denver’s Nikola Jokic] out there. There’s things I didn’t understand about these guys.
In his introductory press conference, Udoka mentioned wanting to add “different types of bigs” to the roster. However, the 45-year-old coach said that in the context of playing alongside Sengun or perhaps in tandem with him in the rotation, as opposed to being a replacement. For example, a big man with more athleticism and shot blocking might help offset some of Sengun’s defensive limitations.
This SUNDAY at 7pm ☺️????
Enjoyed chatting with newly named @HoustonRockets Head Coach Ime Udoka!
We discuss his journey in life & basketball, the potential he sees in this young team, and much more. Tune in @ATTSportsNetSW. pic.twitter.com/UZB2ApME2O
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) April 28, 2023
It’s worth noting that when Udoka coached the Celtics in the 2021 offseason, Boston reportedly had eyes on Sengun as a potential draft pick. Several in NBA circles have since compared the Turkish prospect to Jokic, a two-time league MVP who also hails from Europe.
Fortunately, the Rockets were able to trade for the No. 16 overall pick in the 2021 first round to draft the 6-foot-11 big man, and the rest is history. Sengun averaged a career-high 14.8 points (55.3% FG), 9.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 28.9 minutes per game this season.
Udoka’s full one-on-one interview with Richardson can be viewed on AT&T SportsNet Southwest at 7 p.m. Central on Sunday.
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