Alperen Şengün has agreed to a five-year, $185 million extension to 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 rookie class of 2021 to agree to extensions to 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 from the rookie class of 2021 ahead of Monday’s deadline.
A 6-foot-11 center, Şengün joined the Rockets as the 16th pick of the 2021 NBA Draft out of Turkey. He signed a four-year, $15.5 million contract as a rookie.
He’s since developed into one of the NBA’s most versatile big men and an anchor for the Rockets at 22 years old. 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 3-point distance.
Şengün leads a young Rockets core that also features Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and rookie Reed Sheppard, all of whom are younger than 23 years old. With veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks in the starting lineup, the Rockets are looking to make a leap this season from being perpetually lottery-bound to contention for a playoff spot in the West.
The Rockets will open the season Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets.
