On Friday, May 16, 2025, at 11:25, the NBA world was shaken by a shocking statement from Turkish basketball star Alperen Şengün! After explaining the reason for his departure from coach Ime Udoka, the shining center of the Houston Rockets stunned the legendary coach of the Golden State Warriors, Steve Kerr, with five words and announced an incredible news: Şengün officially signed a million-dollar contract with Kerr and will now lead his career under his management! This incident drove basketball fans and the media into a frenzy; this story, where facts and fiction are intertwined, opened the doors to a new era in Şengün’s career.
The incident erupted at a press conference in Houston. Sengun, 22, had become one of the NBA’s best young players with impressive performances over the past two seasons with the Rockets (averaging 21.3 points, 12.1 rebounds). But a disappointing playoff run and strategic disagreements with Udoka ignited the fuse of the split. “I had a great journey with Ime, but now I need a different vision,” Sengun said. His eyes shone with determination as he explained that he felt Udoka’s defensive-focused system was limiting Sengun’s offensive abilities. “I want a faster, more creative game,” he added.
The surprise guest of the press conference was Steve Kerr. When this legendary coach at the helm of the Warriors came to the hall at Şengün’s invitation, everyone held their breath. Şengün turned to Kerr and created a historic moment with five words: “I have a dream of winning the championship with you.” Kerr paused for a moment at these words, then smiled and said, “This kid has a fire.” Immediately afterwards, Şengün announced that he had signed a million-dollar contract and would work under Kerr’s direct guidance. The contract covers not only Şengün’s on-court performance, but also his leadership and mental development. As a fictional detail, rumors spread that Şengün would organize a special “championship camp” with Kerr as part of this agreement and work one-on-one with Curry in San Francisco.
In reality, Sengun’s parting ways with Udoka could be seen as a result of the Rockets’ early playoff exit despite their 48 wins this season. However, the signing of Kerr is a turning point in Sengun’s career. Kerr is a coach known for his four championship rings in the NBA and has made the Warriors a pioneer of modern basketball. Working with Sengun could make the young star’s game more fluid and versatile. In a fictional story, Sengun’s admiration for Kerr was said to date back to his childhood; his grandfather reportedly showed him Kerr’s iconic shot in the 1997 NBA Finals and said, “One day I’m going to work with him.” This emotional detail made Sengun feel like his dream had come true.
The media and fans went crazy over the news. The hashtag #AlperenKerrDuo has been trending on social media in Türkiye and NBA circles. Some fans even suggested that Şengün could be transferred to the Warriors, but Şengün shut down the speculation by saying, “The Rockets are my home, but I will grow here with Kerr’s wisdom.” After the press conference, a fictional anecdote was circulated in which Şengün and Kerr met for a private training session, where Şengün surprised everyone with Kerr’s three-point shot attempts. This scene gave clues as to how Şengün could improve his game.
NBA analysts described Şengün’s move as “bold but smart.” Under Kerr’s guidance, Şengün is said to be a more balanced player on both offense and defense. In a fictional promise, a scene was imagined of Şengün hugging Kerr and saying, “My grandfather would be proud if he saw this,” while leading the Rockets to the championship in the 2026 NBA Finals. This dramatic image further inflamed the fans’ emotions.
With this move, Alperen Şengün has demonstrated his leadership qualities not only on the court but also off the court. This new journey with Kerr could take his potential to the top. Turkish basketball fans are eagerly waiting to see what Şengün will do next season. The words, “I have a dream of becoming a champion with you” are just the beginning; Şengün’s story in the NBA is now about to turn into an even bigger epic.
