Recently Alperen gave [this](https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/kelebek/hurriyet-pazar/nbain-yeni-yildizi-alperen-sengun-savasmak-benim-ruhumda-var-42196599?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=post) interview for a Turkish newspaper. It’s sunday and I have some free time so I thought I would translate it for you guys:
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Q: We know your connection with Giresun (his birthplace, the plate number of Giresun is 28). Did you play basketball in the streets while you were a kid?
A: Yes, I grew up in the streets. I’ve done everything in streets, both played soccer and basketball. I’ve pretty much learned the life in streets.
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Q: Banvit, Bandırma and then Beşiktaş. You’ve became the Turkish League MVP and got selected in the NBA Draft. What’s the secret of your quick rise at such a young age?
A: When I got to Beşiktaş, I’ve changed my whole life because I knew that was such a big opportunity for me. I got my family with me, changed my diet and whole work mentality.
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Q: Do you feel the pressure of being younger than most basketball players?
A: No. I’ve played with players older than me my whole life. So I don’t feel any pressure, in fact I focus better on my own game.
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Q: We have grown accustomed to your ball control, footwork, vision and famous fakes. What are the parts of your game that needs to be improved?
A: I know that I have to improve my shooting, I work on my shooting and my defense. I work on my quickness on foot. We’re always working (smiles).
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Q: You’ve been in America for a long time. Could you adapt to the culture and life over there?
A: When I first arrived here my English was really making it difficult for me but I got used to life itself because I am a really energetic and compatible person. At first, adapting to the game schedule, playing a game every 2 or 3 days was hard, because in Turkey we were playing once or twice per week. But overtime I got used to it, conditionally and mentally.
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Q: What did NBA mean to you when you were younger? Did you dream about playing here?
A: I didn’t have NBA dreams until I was 14-15. I was playing all sorts of sports but started to focus on basketball because I realized that this was going to be my life. But I couldn’t even dream of making it this far. Obviously when you look back at it now, it’s a huge thing. You see the life, the organizations here, and you can’t believe it. If someone said to me “You are going to play in the NBA” when i was little, I wouldn’t believe it, but now I’m here.
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Q: I’m pretty sure you had your idols while playing in younger leagues. Now you are the idols of some youngsters. What would you say to those young players?
A: That’s really pleasing to hear for me. To be honest, my life was basketball. I really didn’t do much else. I advise them to work hard regardless of their conditions, challenge themselves… My whole life was like that. After practice, I was playing one-on-ones with the older players, I would always pick players better than me so I could improve.
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Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
A: Honestly back when I was in İstanbul and Bandırma, I was living with rituals. I would try to do the same thing before every single game. Nowadays I try not to care that much. I listen to music, do my stretches. Nothing special at the moment.
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Q: Do you think there are any differences between NBA coaches and European coaches? If there are, how did you overcome them?
A: I think European coaches are tougher because they are more rigid. In US, coaches usually leave it to the players. That’s why I adapted quickly. I even felt a little lost when I first arrived, because I grew up with tough coaches.
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Q: How do you overcome difficulties, what’s your sorce of motivation?
A: To be honest, after I played a bad game, I became really tense and angry towards myself. I play video games to relax. Because in video games you can be angry inside (laughs).
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Q: Your style is talked about as much as your game, do you have a style consultant?
A: I don’t have a stylist, they ask me here too. I trust the opinios of people around me, I ask them. But I don’t have a stylist, I purchase my clothes myself and I like to shop. I get messages from a lot of stylists but I haven’t accepted any of them for now.
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Q: You got compared to 2 time MVP Nikola Jokic. Do you take him as an example? Do you like being compared to him?
A: Obviously I like being compared to him. My game looks like Jokic’s, everyone says that. We have a good relationship, we talk in games. We have the same agency in US. It’s always a pleasure to play with him.
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Q: You recently became the youngest center in NBA history to have 200 assists and 1000 points. How does it feel?
A: It will be a good memory for me, I’m happy. People look at stats a lot. Besides, what you do on court, what you add to the team is also very important.
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Q: You recently shared a picture with a goat, and got a lot of “GOAT” comments. Thoughts on that? Do you read good/bad criticisms about yourself?
A: Of course I read them, you have to the take life with good and bad. There is a Turkish farm and restaurant here. Every off-day I go there, eat breakfast. I spend good time with animals. I already have 2 dogs, I like animals. GOAT thing is a big thing (laughs). They mean it as a joke but I will try my best to be remembered as one of the great centers. My ambition is why I got this far. I always fought in the basketball court, didn’t care about who was stronger or better than me, I was always ready to fight. It’s in my spirit, also in my family’s spirit.
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Q: You got quite the fanbase in Turkey, and in Houston. What would you like to tell them?
A: Keep watching me, I work everyday to improve myself. I hope to prove everyone here that the kids from Turkey can come here and do better. I hope I succeed.
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Q: Your dunk over Zach Collins got overturned. Do you become more passionate after situations like these or your mood drops a little?
A: Foul calls make me kinda sad. You shouldn’t let it get to your head but I kind of do. I hope I overcome that but there’s not much to do about referees.
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Quick Q&A
* Q: Who is the person you get along with best in the team? A: Eric Gordon.
* Q: What do you miss most in Turkey? A: Food and friends.
* Q: Series and movies you can’t give up? A: Narcos and Harry Potter.
* Q: Songs you can’t give up? A: Ezhel’s(a Turkish rapper) songs.
* Q: If you weren’t a basketball player? A: Would be a footballer(soccer).
* Q: What do you like to do most? A: Playing ball, playing video games and shopping.
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Thanks for reading everyone, sorry if there are any typos.
by slmaytc
