The Houston Rockets got a much-needed boost this weekend-and not just from their win over the Thunder. With Oklahoma City missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to an abdominal strain that will also sideline him from the upcoming All-Star Game, the door opened for one of Houston’s brightest young stars to step into the spotlight.
On Sunday, the NBA made it official: Alperen Sengun is headed to Los Angeles as an All-Star.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver named the Rockets’ third-year center as Gilgeous-Alexander’s replacement on Team World, giving Sengun his first All-Star nod and marking another milestone in what’s been a breakout season.
Let’s be clear-this isn’t just a feel-good story. Sengun has earned this.
The 21-year-old big man has been the engine of Houston’s offense for much of the year, blending old-school post moves with modern playmaking flair. He’s the kind of player who can hit a spinning hook shot one possession and thread a no-look dime the next.
It’s not always flashy, but it’s effective-and increasingly, it’s been the foundation of the Rockets’ rebuild.
Yes, there have been some bumps along the way. Questions about his defensive consistency have surfaced, and his on-court chemistry with head coach Ime Udoka has drawn a few raised eyebrows in recent weeks.
But even amid those challenges, Sengun’s talent has never been in doubt. He’s averaging career highs across the board and continues to show why Houston made him a cornerstone of their future.
Now, he’ll get a chance to showcase that talent on one of the league’s biggest stages. The All-Star Game, held this year at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, is shifting to a “USA vs.
World” format-an effort by the league to inject some competitive juice back into a game that’s often lacked intensity in recent years. Whether or not that move pays off remains to be seen, especially with several stars nursing injuries.
But for Sengun, it’s a golden opportunity to go toe-to-toe with elite talent and show fans across the globe what Rockets fans have been seeing all season.
No matter how the game plays out, it’s a win for Houston. Sengun’s All-Star selection is a sign that the Rockets’ rebuild is bearing fruit. And for a franchise that’s been searching for its next foundational piece, Sunday night will be a moment worth celebrating.