Kevin Durant formally opened his 18th NBA campaign during preseason media day on Monday. The press conference included praise of Alperen Sengun.

“I have played with some bigs that are great at what they do, great role-playing bigs that can guard or post, that could set great screens, that can finish over the rim, that can block shots, but I think Alpi can pretty much do a little bit of all of that and more, but also handle the ball as a guard in the perimeter,” he described the 23-year-old Turkish center of the Houston Rockets .

The two-time NBA champion followed Sengun in EuroBasket 2025 during the offseason, besides heading to the Rockets via trade and nearing a deal on a contract extension.

“It’s always good when you get to play in that setting,” he referred to his new teammate

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