Rockets' Alperen Sengun receives legendary comparison, Summer League breakout award

The Houston Rockets' Summer League has gotten off to a great start, as the Rockets have secured victories in each of their first two games. The Rockets have faced both Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers and top overall pick Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons and have been too much to handle for both squads.

Rockets second overall pick Jalen Green has lived up to expectations and some (which says alot), as he's averaged 24 points (5th-best), and 5 rebounds, while shooting 52% from the field, 50% from long-range, and 92% from the free throw line. But as previously stated, this was expected from Green, who has made it known that he believed he should have been drafted first overall to just about anyone who has been willing to hear it.

What hasn't been as expected is the play that the Rockets have gotten from Alperen Sengun, the Rockets' 16th pick overall. Sengun spent last season in Turkey's Basketball Super League and claimed MVP honors, but naturally wasn't a household name among NBA fans.

However, he's been one of the best players in all of the Summer League, as he's averaging a league-leading 4 blocks per game and a Player Efficiency Rating of 37 (3rd-best), along with 18 points, 11.5 rebounds (7th), and 3 assists, while shooting 45.8% from the field. Sengun's play has gained the attention of ESPN'S Mike Schmitz, who named him the breakout player of the Summer League, on ESPN's SportsCenter.

Houston Rockets' Alperen Sengun receives legendary comparison, Summer League breakout award

"Alperen Sengun, the 6-foot-10 Turkish big man, has made his introduction to the casual NBA fan with his play out here in Vegas. He's been the biggest breakout performer so far.

He had 15 points, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks against Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers and then tonight, 21 points, 8 rebounds, was flying around from the weak side for blocks. And he's as skilled of a 19-year-old big man as I have seen in my time evaluating prospects.

I think he's going to have a huge year for the Houston Rockets. Has a little bit of Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis in his game, so looks like a total steal for Houston in the mid-first round."

Sengun has appeared to be more than capable of also being a good long-range shooter, as he's made 33.3% of his threes through the Rockets' first two Summer League games, even flashing Stephen Curry-like shooting range on Tuesday night, with the shot clock winding down.

Granted, it should be stated that the Summer League doesn't always translate over to the NBA regular season, but it's safe to say if the Rockets receive any semblance of the Jokic/Sabonis combination that Schmitz gave Sengun, they'd gladly welcome that.