Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengün has revealed an emotional exchange with new teammate Kevin Durant following the superstar’s blockbuster arrival in Houston this offseason.
In an interview with Turkish outlet Socrates Dergi, Sengün described how he reached out to Durant after giving him time to settle in, and received a message that left a lasting impression.
“I gave him two weeks to settle in, and then I sent him a message saying, ‘Welcome to the team. I can’t wait to play with you; we are gonna have a great year,’” Sengün said. “He responded and said, ‘We’re gonna do great stuff.’”
The Rockets acquired Durant in a record-breaking seven-team trade that sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and multiple draft picks to Phoenix. The move was widely seen as Houston’s push to become a legitimate title contender after a promising 52–30 season that ended in a hard-fought first-round playoff loss to Golden State.
Sengün, who earned his first All-Star selection last season by averaging 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, has quickly become the face of the franchise. His growth has not gone unnoticed by Durant. Sengün recalled a moment from last season when he asked Durant not to double-team him during a game.
“I told him, ‘Don’t come to double me, let me play one-on-one.’ He said, ‘No way, you’re an All-Star now. You’re no longer going to play one-on-one. Get used to it,’” Sengün said, laughing.
The mutual respect between the two stars has fans buzzing about the potential of Houston’s new-look roster. With Sengün’s versatility and Durant’s elite scoring, the Rockets now boast one of the most dynamic frontcourt duos in the league. Durant, who averaged 26.6 points on 52.7% shooting last season, joins a core that includes Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., and Clint Capela.
For Sengün, the partnership with Durant represents more than just basketball, it’s a chance to learn from one of the game’s greatest while continuing to lead a rising team.
“He’s someone I’ve looked up to for years,” Sengün said. “Now we get to build something together.”
