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HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 28: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets reacts after a three-point basket in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center on January 28, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Harry Potter fandom probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun.
The 23-year-old Turkish national is having a breakout postseason for the fourth-seeded Rockets, averaging 20.5 points per game through four games. However, a recent feature by The Athletic highlighted a new side to Sengun.
In the article, Sengun is described as one of the league’s most passionate Harry Potter fans, extending his love so much with a dedicated Harry Potter-themed room in his Houston-area home, filled with memorabilia inspired by the films.
“I had a Harry Potter room, but now I’m, like, building one,” Sengun told The Athletic. “I’m painting the room in Harry Potter everything right now. It’s gonna be really cool.”
The self-proclaimed Gryffindor told The Athletic he frequently rewatches the films and that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is his favorite.
“I watch a lot of movies, but I’m a magical guy, too,” Sengun told The Athletic. “I dream about a lot of stuff. And they’re all magical, so I kind of like magical, not-gonna-happen stuff … that’s how I became a Harry Potter fan.”
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 27: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets is defended by Noah Clowney #21 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second half of the game at Toyota Center on October 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Sengun earned MVP honors in Turkey’s top league at just 18 years old. Since then he has become one of the most versatile young centers in the NBA. He was selected with the 16th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Rockets and has become a consistent force down low, which helped guide Houston to the postseason.
This season he averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game.
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 18: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers battles for position aainst Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets during the second half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Sengun and the fifth-seeded Western Conference Rockets will need a little magic if they’re to make it out of the first round of the NBA playoffs. Houston has a 3-1 series deficit against the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets did win Game 4, 115-96, to stave off elimination and force a Game 5 Wednesday.
The Rockets and Lakers series winner will play the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. The Thunder swept the Phoenix Suns in four games.
If the Rockets are to advance, they’ll need a strong showing from everyone, particularly Sengun. Game 5 will be played in Los Angeles. Games 6 and 7, if needed, would be played in Houston and L.A. respectively. Sengun has been the highest scorer in two of the four games already. He also had the most rebounds in the second and third games of the series.
Alex Shoemaker Alex Shoemaker is a seasoned sports journalist and digital content strategist with more than a decade of experience in newsrooms and digital media. He has covered a wide range of sports, including March Madness, the Olympic Trials, and local high school athletics. He began his journalism career covering high school and community sports, developing a reputation for sharp storytelling and precise design that earned awards for both writing and pagination. More about Alex Shoemaker
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