Houston Rockets center Alperen Şengün achieved a long-held goal Thursday when he was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career. Şengün was announced as one of the Western Conference reserves chosen by NBA head coaches to compete in the 2025 All-Star Game on Feb.

The Rockets currently hold second place in the Western Conference with a record of 32 wins and 14 losses, thanks in large part to Şengün’s contributions. His selection marks a historic milestone as he becomes only the second Turkish player in NBA history to earn an All-Star spot, following Mehmet Okur in 2007.

Rockets star Alperen Sengun earned the first NBA All-Star selection of his career, only needing one word to react to the news.

In what has become a sizzling rivalry between two of the top Western Conference teams, the Rockets and Grizzlies meet for the final game of the regular season.

Alperen Şengün joined the Houston Rockets at the depths of their post-Harden rebuild in the 2021 NBA draft. The 22-year-old center is now an All-Star as Houston rises up the NBA hierarchy. Şengün’s been reaching new heights this season 🚀 Alperen Şengün is an #NBAAllStar! pic.twitter.com/GfTkVUlnKv

Rockets' fourth-year center an icon in his home country, where Turkish fans and politicians support his career.

Nearing real stardom, Şengün reflects on Rockets' belief in him: "Whoever trusts me, or backs me up, I will take care of them all my life."

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career on Thursday. Drafted as the 16th pick in 2021 from Türkiye, the 22-year-old is averaging 19.1 points, 10.

All-Star center Alperen Sengun (bruised calf) missed his first game of the season for the Rockets, who gave Steven Adams his first start.