Alperen Şengün agreed five-year, $185 million extension to his rookie contract, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported on 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 to their rookie contracts before the start of the new season on Tuesday.
Şengün joins his Rockets teammate Jalen Green, Cade Cunningham (Pistons), Evan Mobley (Knights), 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 2021 rookie class by Monday’s deadline.
A 6-foot-11 center, Şengün entered 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 has 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 range.
Şengün leads a young Rockets core that also has 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 look to make a leap this season from always being lottery bound to contention for a playoff spot in the West.
The Rockets will open the season on Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets.
