Alperen Şengün has agreed to a five-year, $185 million extension of his rookie contract, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported Monday, citing Şengün’s agents.
Şengün’s deal is one of a flurry ahead of Monday’s deadline for members of the 2021 rookie class to agree to extensions of their rookie contracts before the start of the new season Tuesday.
Şengün joins his Rockets teammate Jalen Green, Cade Cunningham (Pistons), Evan Mobley (Cavaliers), Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Jalen Suggs (Magic), Franz Wagner (Magic), Moses Moody (Warriors), Trey Murphy III (Pelicans) , Corey Kispert (Wizards) and Jalen Johnson (Hawks) in agreeing to extensions with the 2021 rookie class before Monday’s deadline.
Şengün, a 6-foot-1 center, joined the Rockets as the 16th pick of the 2021 NBA Draft out of Turkey. He signed a four-year contract worth $15.5 million as a rookie.
Since then, he has developed into one of the NBA’s most versatile big men and, at 22, an anchor for the Rockets. In 63 games last season, Şengün averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, five assists, 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 53.7% from the field and 29.7% from distance shot from 3 points.
Şengün leads a young Rockets core that also includes Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and rookie Reed Sheppard, all of whom are under 23 years old. With veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks in the starting lineup, the Rockets are looking to make a leap from perpetual lottery play to competing for a playoff spot in the West this season.
The Rockets open the season on Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets.
