Israeli-Turkish collaboration at the All-Star Game: Alperen Şengün has been selected to the NBA All-Star Game in place of the injured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and will play on the international team alongside Israeli forward Deni Avdija.
Initially, the Houston Rockets center was left off the list of 24 players chosen for the NBA’s marquee event, sparking angry reactions among Turkish users on social media—including some antisemitic comments directed at Avdija.
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Turkish NBA player Alperen Şengün, center for the Houston Rockets
(Photo: Thomas Shea/Imagn Images)
Many Turkish fans struggled to accept the outcome, unable to understand how the Houston star was excluded from the 14 reserves chosen by the coaches. Şengün, who carried his national team to the EuroBasket final last summer, was widely regarded in Turkey as a natural All‑Star pick, and the decision sparked a wave of angry reactions on social media. Among other things, offensive comments claimed that his selection was unjustified, using racist language and personal slurs.
Ultimately, following an injury to the Oklahoma City Thunder star, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver decided to add Şengün to the international team, which also features Avdija.
Şengün led his national team to the EuroBasket final last summer, including a major semifinal victory over Greece and Giannis Antetokounmpo. This NBA season, he is averaging 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.