NBA Draft 2021: Mock Draft 1.0
29. . C. San Antonio Spurs. Alperen Sengun. 12. player
2021 NBA Draft — 12. Alperen Sengun, San Antonio Spurs
Do not expect the Spurs to pass on a skilled, fundamentally sound international prospect at a position of need. Many would argue Alperen Sengun is the best international prospect in this year’s class, and he’s a perfect fit for San Antonio’s half-baked rebuild.
A big-bodied 6-foot-10 center, Sengun is in many ways tailored to the old and the new school. He’s a graceful post scorer, with advanced footwork and feather-soft touch. He’s also a 240-pound bulldozer when necessary, and can overpower smaller defenders. On the other hand, his soft touch hints at shooting upside, while his playmaking skills could open up the floor in new ways for San Antonio.
Sengun has the upside of a go-to big who can both score and pass from the elbow, or dominate on the low block. As his skill set develops, it’s hard to argue the appeal. His inability to defend in space could cause challenges, but it’s not like Gregg Popovich hasn’t faced that very same challenge in recent years, and done so with relative success.