Rockets center Alperen Sengun added to All-Star roster after Gilgeous-Alexander’s withdrawal
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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun was named to the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, replacing Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who pulled out because of a strained abdominal muscle.
Sengun, 23, will suit up for the World team in the Feb. 15 showcase at the Los Angeles Clippers’ new arena in Inglewood, California. The Turkish big man is averaging 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists this season. By earning a second consecutive selection, he becomes the first player from Turkey to make the All-Star Game twice.
Under league rules, injury replacements are chosen by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. The initial pool of starters is determined by a weighted vote of fans, media and current players, while head coaches select the reserves.
Silver already added Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard last week to balance the new U.S. vs. World format, which requires 16 U.S. representatives—eight per American squad—and at least eight players on the World roster.
This year’s All-Star program features three teams: two from the United States and one representing the rest of the world. They will play a round-robin of 12-minute games, with the top two teams advancing to a final period of the same length.
Sengun joins Mehmet Okur (2007) as the only players from Turkey ever selected for the NBA’s midseason classic.
Source: ESPN
