The 2026 NBA All-Star roster just got a major shake-up, and for Houston Rockets fans, it is a well-deserved validation.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced today that Rockets center Alperen Sengun has been named to the Team World player pool as an injury replacement for Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Sengun will now suit up for the Sunday showcase at the Intuit Dome on February 15, marking his second consecutive All-Star appearance.
The SGA Injury Blow
The change comes after devastating news for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, suffered an abdominal strain in a win over the Orlando Magic last Tuesday. The injury will keep him sidelined through the All-Star break, forcing him to withdraw from the festivities.
While it is a tough blow for Team World to lose a starter averaging 31.8 points per game, the “next man up” is hardly a downgrade in talent.
Sengun’s stellar Season
Sengun has been the engine of the Rockets’ offense all season. The 23-year-old Turkish sensation is averaging 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and a career-high 6.3 assists per game.
His unique playmaking ability from the center position makes him a perfect fit for the new “Team World vs. Team USA” round-robin format, where ball movement and creativity will be on full display. He joins a loaded international squad that features Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama.
With Sengun officially in the mix, Team World adds another elite passer to a roster that already looks unfair on paper.
