NBA Peer Poll: Alperen Şengün Voted Most Overrated Player in the League

In a revealing anonymous survey conducted by The Athletic, NBA players have cast their votes on the league’s most overrated talents, and Houston Rockets center Alperen Şengün emerged at the top of the list. Despite producing All-Star caliber statistics, the Turkish big man finds himself under scrutiny from his peers, highlighting a disconnect between raw production and perceived impact on the court.

The Breakdown: Who the NBA Considers Overrated

The survey, which saw participation from 81 players, asked athletes to identify who they believe is most overrated in the current landscape. While many players opted out to avoid creating friction with opponents, the results provided a clear hierarchy of peer perception.

Şengün led the category with 12.3% of the vote. He was followed by Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Trae Young of the Washington Wizards, who both received 8.6%. Other notable players appearing on the list included:

• Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks): 7.4%
• Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic): 4.9%
• Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies): 4.9%

The Case Against Şengün: Talent vs. Temperament

On paper, Şengün is one of the most skilled offensive centers in the league. His vision and passing ability are often compared to elite facilitators, and he recently helped lead the Turkish national team to a silver medal at the 2025 European Championship. However, the poll suggests that his peers see flaws that statistics don’t capture.

One anonymous voter was blunt about Şengün’s demeanor, stating: “He complains every play. He has talent, but he should think about playing with intensity.” This perception of being “soft” is compounded by technical criticisms. Even within his own locker room, tensions have flared; Kevin Durant, via an anonymous X profile, criticized the center by claiming the franchise player “cannot shoot or defend.”

The data supports some of these concerns. According to CleaningTheGlass, Şengün posted a net rating of -7.8—the worst indicator among 40 centers who played more than 1,500 minutes this season. This suggests that despite his individual scoring, the Rockets struggled significantly while he was on the floor.

Contextualizing the Struggle: The Rockets’ Dysfunction

While the “overrated” label is harsh, there are significant mitigating factors. The 2025-26 Houston Rockets season was marred by internal conflict and a lack of trust between the veteran leadership and the team’s younger core. This dysfunction contributed to the Rockets’ early playoff exit, where they were eliminated 4-2 in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers.

analysts point to the offensive limitations of Coach Ime Udoka’s system, which may not have maximized Şengün’s unique skill set. At 23 years old, the “Baby Jokic” still has substantial room for growth, particularly regarding his three-point shooting, free-throw accuracy, and defensive presence.

The Flip Side: The Most Underrated Players

While the “overrated” category sparked controversy, the “underrated” category saw higher engagement, with 151 players casting votes. This section of the poll highlighted players who the league feels are not receiving enough credit for their contributions.

Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks and Derrick White of the Boston Celtics tied for the top spot, each receiving 4% of the vote. Other players recognized as underrated (3.3%) included Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, Jrue Holiday, and Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Final Outlook

Alperen Şengün remains a formidable talent and a two-time All-Star, but the peer poll serves as a reminder that in the NBA, production is only half the battle. To shed the “overrated” label, Şengün will need to pair his offensive brilliance with a more aggressive defensive mindset and a more resilient on-court temperament. If placed in a system tailored to his strengths and surrounded by a cohesive supporting cast, his ceiling remains among the highest of any big man in the league.