Zurab Talakvadze

MVP: Alperen Sengun!

When it comes to the most unstoppable forces in NBA, mostly, we discuss the brilliance and otherworldly talents of Lebron James, Steph Curry, Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic and Giannis The Freak. We discuss their creativity and talent. And, they deserve this. They are born to dominate and they are from another planet. We hardly put someone in this list, but occasionally some names come to mind. And, we mean that. Today, the real hero of Eurobasket 2025 comes on this stage. And, he deserved this recognition. He deserves all. He is that good. He was this good, but always stayed in the shadows of the titans. Now, it is his turn.

Alperen Sengun, ladies and gentlemen! The tall guy from Turkey, who is the MVP of the group stage.

His stats are cruel. Sengun gives Turkey 21.6 points (good for 9th place), 9.6 rebounds (4th) and magnificent 6.8 dimes (3rd) per game. We were callin this dude the Poor Man’s Jokic, but guess what? He just outdid Nikola in a tense game versus Serbia, where Turkey withstood all the talent thrown at them and won the battle of the giants. Sengun was the Jokic for the real, original Jokic. And Turkey, who started the tournament with a massive demolition of the host Latvia, never turned back and won all the games. Of course, others were doing their job as well, but the man is this Sengun guy. It is simple as that. Sengun just dominated the group stage. And sky is the limit for him.

He started the championship with a game against Kristaps Porzingis and limited the Latvian star to a modest 10 points. Porzingis did not score from the long distance and Sengun was dominating him. 16 points, 8 rebounds and 7 classy dimes do not show the real dominance of this young man. He was everywhere and when Turkey needed the decisive run, Sengun did it with ease. Porzingis just disappeared. And Turkey won the battle of the heavyweights. Thanks to Alperen and his magic.

He was solid with 23 points, 12 boards and 9 assists against Czech Republic, but the truth is, his team did not need that kind of craft. Turkey was miles ahead or its opponent and Sengun just made it easier. Well, may be, prettier too. A true master class from Alperen. He made 8/9 two pointers.

Sengun wrestled his muscles against pesky Portugal, but Turkey won that battle in the locker room alone. Sengun ended up with solid 20 points, 7 boards and 5 assists. He was almost flawless from the midrange distance (9/11) and Portugal did not have a proper answer for him. Mission completed. Done.

Next comes Estonia and another easy game for this young man. Estonia lackes the size for guarding big, heavy centers and this time, pivot from Turkey had just 21 points, 8 rebounds and 5 beautiful assists. The rest is a lesson of violence. Sengun dismembered Estonia. He was the punisher, he ended up victorious again and Estonia was helpless. Like the others, too. Next stop.

Well, here comes the most important game of this event for Turkey and for Sengun himself. Srbia. Against mighty and the only Nikola Jokic. Turkey was not a team to beat, but Turkey was the favorite in this battle of giants. 36 solid minutes from Alperen. 28 points versus Jokic. Add 13 rebounds and 8 dimes. Add some tough defense and here we go, Turkey won and finished the group stage undefeated. Serbia might still stay as the real threat on any given night, but Sengun was the man. Sengun was the dictator. Sengun just skinned the most talented team of the tournament and Alperen did it with a pure class, pure energy, pure passion.

Turkey might not finish the tournament undefeated and in this case, they are doomed to death. But Alperen Sengun had his word with everybody is a true MVP of this group stage.