Last Updated on October 9, 2026 by Orlando Bloom
Alperen Şengün is a Turkish professional basketball player who has become one of the most talented young centers in the NBA. Born on July 25, 2002, in Giresun, Turkey, he plays for the Houston Rockets and is known for his exceptional passing, footwork, rebounding, and offensive creativity. After establishing himself in Turkish professional basketball, Şengün entered the NBA in 2021 and earned consecutive NBA All-Star selections in 2025 and 2026.
Beyond his basketball achievements, Alperen Şengün comes from a close-knit Turkish family that played an essential role in his journey to international success. His parents, Kemal and Ayşe Şengün, made considerable sacrifices to support his sporting ambitions, while his older brother Alican introduced him to basketball. He also has an older sister who has largely remained outside the public spotlight. His romantic relationship with American model Hannah Cherry attracted significant attention, although reports in 2026 raised questions about their relationship status.
Alperen Sengun’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Hannah Cherry?
Alperen Şengün was in a widely publicised relationship with American model Hannah Cherry, who became a familiar presence at Houston Rockets games and frequently appeared alongside the Turkish basketball star during holidays and family gatherings.
The couple’s relationship attracted considerable attention in Turkey and the United States, particularly as Şengün developed into one of the NBA’s leading international players.
However, their relationship status became uncertain in May 2026 after Turkish entertainment publications reported that the couple had stopped following each other on Instagram.
Although these developments generated speculation about a possible breakup, neither Şengün nor Cherry publicly provided a detailed explanation.
As of now, Hannah Cherry remains Şengün’s most widely documented romantic partner, but whether they are currently together has not been reliably confirmed.
Who Is Hannah Cherry?
Hannah Cherry is an American model and social media personality who became widely recognised through her relationship with Houston Rockets basketball player Alperen Şengün.
She has also been associated with beauty, lifestyle, and body art activities.
Cherry gained considerable attention among Turkish basketball fans after appearing at Rockets games and sharing photographs with Şengün on social media.
Their relationship became increasingly public as they travelled together and attended events involving friends and family members.
In March 2025, Şengün organised a surprise birthday celebration for Cherry.
According to Turkish publication Habertürk, the event included several of her friends, and the couple subsequently shared photographs from the celebration.
Şengün also posted an affectionate birthday message expressing his love for Cherry and his desire to celebrate many more birthdays together.
The public gesture demonstrated the seriousness of their relationship at the time.
Alperen Sengun and Hannah Cherry’s Relationship
Turkish media have reported that Alperen Şengün and Hannah Cherry began dating in the early 2020s.
By 2025, their relationship had become sufficiently established that their families were spending time together.
In September 2025, Habertürk reported that the Şengün and Cherry families had developed a close relationship and regularly met during holidays and other gatherings.
Cherry’s parents, George and Cindy Cherry, were also photographed interacting with the Turkish basketball star.
The relationship attracted additional attention because the couple appeared comfortable sharing moments from their personal lives with the public.
In July 2025, Şengün and Cherry travelled to Capri, Italy, where they enjoyed a holiday together.
They were also photographed spending time together in Istanbul.
Following Turkey’s successful EuroBasket 2025 campaign, the couple took another romantic holiday in Italy.
Their frequent public appearances prompted speculation among some Turkish entertainment publications that marriage could eventually become a possibility.
However, there was no verified announcement of an engagement or wedding.
Did Alperen Sengun and Hannah Cherry Break Up?
In May 2026, Turkish media reported that Şengün and Cherry had stopped following each other on Instagram.
Habertürk published a report on May 13, 2026, describing the social media activity and the resulting speculation about their relationship.
The publication noted that photographs of the couple remained on Şengün’s Instagram account at the time.
In June 2026, Sözcü reported that Şengün had travelled to Antalya, Turkey, for a family holiday amid the breakup speculation.
However, neither of these reports established through a direct statement that the relationship had officially ended.
There has also been no sufficiently reliable public confirmation of a reconciliation.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to describe Hannah Cherry as Şengün’s confirmed current girlfriend or definitively identify her as his former girlfriend.
As of now, their relationship status remains publicly uncertain.
Is Alperen Sengun Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Alperen Şengün is married.
Although his relationship with Hannah Cherry attracted marriage speculation in 2025, neither individual announced a wedding or publicly confirmed becoming engaged.
Reports about their families spending time together led some entertainment publications to suggest that a marriage might eventually take place.
However, those predictions were speculative and should not be confused with an official engagement announcement.
As of now, Alperen Şengün has no publicly confirmed wife.
Does Alperen Sengun Have Children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Alperen Şengün has children.
The Houston Rockets center has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter, and official NBA biographies do not identify any children.
Although Şengün has spoken extensively about his parents, siblings, and extended family, he has not publicly confirmed becoming a father.
In a February 2021 interview with Socrates Magazine, he mentioned having a niece or nephew with whom he shared a close relationship.
That reference demonstrated the importance of his extended family, but it did not indicate that he had children of his own.
As of now, Alperen Şengün has no publicly confirmed children.
Who Are Alperen Sengun’s Parents?
Alperen Şengün was born to Kemal Şengün and Ayşe Şengün in Giresun, a city on Turkey’s Black Sea coast.
His parents raised three children in a modest household and made significant sacrifices to help their youngest son pursue basketball.
His father worked in fishing and had experience playing basketball, while his mother worked in childcare.
Both parents became central figures in his sporting journey, particularly when he left home at just 12 years old to join a basketball development programme in Bandırma.
Alperen Sengun’s Father: Kemal Sengun
Kemal Şengün is Alperen Şengün’s father and one of the earliest influences on his interest in basketball.
Kemal worked as a fisherman in Giresun and had previously played basketball during his youth.
His sporting background became especially important when his children began showing an interest in the game.
Before Alperen began playing basketball seriously, Kemal encouraged his older son Alican to attend basketball training.
According to a February 2021 interview published by Socrates Magazine, Kemal had played basketball at Giresun Atatürk High School alongside Salim Taslı, who later became Alperen’s first basketball coach.
After Taslı returned to Turkey following several years in the United States, Kemal approached his former schoolmate about basketball opportunities for Alican.
Although Alican was considered relatively old to begin structured basketball training, the introduction eventually created an opportunity for his younger brother.
Alperen began accompanying his father to Alican’s basketball practices.
At first, he watched from the sidelines, occasionally entering the court after training sessions to practise shooting.
His height, natural coordination, and enthusiasm soon attracted the attention of Salim Taslı.
The coach subsequently invited the young Alperen to begin formal basketball training.
That decision marked the beginning of a journey that would eventually take him to the NBA.
Kemal Sengun’s Influence on His Son’s Basketball Career
Kemal Şengün continued supporting Alperen as he developed into one of Turkey’s most promising young basketball players.
His role extended beyond introducing his son to the sport.
When Alperen received an opportunity to join Banvit’s youth academy in Bandırma at the age of 12, Kemal and Ayşe faced a difficult family decision.
The academy was approximately 1,000 kilometres away from their home in Giresun.
Allowing their youngest child to move so far away meant that they would see him considerably less often.
Nevertheless, they recognised that the opportunity could transform his future.
In a February 2025 interview with Anadolu Agency, Kemal recalled the conflicting emotions the family experienced when Alperen left home.
They were proud of his basketball potential but concerned about sending such a young child to live independently.
Despite the emotional difficulties, Kemal supported the move.
As Alperen progressed through professional basketball in Turkey and eventually reached the NBA, his father remained closely involved in following his performances.
In an interview reported by Sözcü in December 2023, Alperen joked that his father still criticised him whenever he played below expectations.
He explained that the criticism reflected his father’s high standards and knowledge of basketball.
In July 2026, Kemal participated in a veterans’ exhibition basketball game during Giresun’s annual street basketball tournament.
The appearance demonstrated his continuing connection to the sport that helped shape his son’s career.
Alperen Sengun’s Mother: Ayse Sengun
Ayşe Şengün is Alperen Şengün’s mother and another essential figure in his personal and professional development.
She raised Alperen and his two older siblings in Giresun alongside her husband, Kemal.
According to Alperen’s February 2021 interview with Socrates Magazine, Ayşe worked as a childcare provider while Kemal earned a living through fishing.
The family did not enjoy significant financial resources during Alperen’s childhood.
Nevertheless, Ayşe and Kemal remained committed to providing opportunities for their children.
During his early years, his parents initially encouraged him to try swimming.
Because of his height and physical characteristics, they believed he might develop into a successful swimmer.
However, Alperen found repetitive swimming lessons less enjoyable than basketball and eventually decided to concentrate on the sport he had discovered through his brother.
His mother supported his growing interest despite the financial and emotional demands associated with youth basketball.
Ayse Sengun’s Sacrifices During Alperen’s Childhood
One of the most difficult moments in Ayşe Şengün’s life came when her youngest son moved away from home to pursue basketball.
Alperen was only 12 when he joined Banvit’s youth development programme.
He later recalled how difficult it was to live far away from his parents at such a young age.
During his first months at the academy, he frequently contacted his family because he felt homesick.
There were moments when he wanted to abandon basketball and return to Giresun.
However, his parents encouraged him to remain committed to the opportunity.
In an April 2026 profile by journalist Mirin Fader, originally published by The Athletic, Şengün described the modest circumstances in which his family had lived.
Their home was small, and his parents sometimes slept on sofas in the kitchen while the children occupied the limited sleeping space.
Ayşe worked hard to provide for the family and continued supporting her son’s ambitions even when financial circumstances were difficult.
Her sacrifices became an important source of motivation for Alperen, who wanted to achieve enough success to improve his family’s living conditions.
After he established himself as a professional basketball player, he became determined to provide greater financial stability for his parents.
In his 2021 Socrates interview, he explained that he did not want his parents to continue working because they had already sacrificed so much for their children.
His comments highlighted the importance of gratitude and family responsibility in his personal life.
Alperen Sengun’s Siblings: Meet His Brother and Sister
Alperen Şengün has two older siblings: a brother named Alican Şengün and an older sister whose name has not been reliably established in widely available public sources.
During his February 2021 interview with Socrates Magazine, Şengün confirmed that he was the youngest of three children.
His older brother played an important role in introducing him to basketball, while his sister pursued her education and later married.
Although Alican has appeared publicly with Alperen and their father, his sister has maintained a considerably lower public profile.
Alican Sengun – Alperen Sengun’s Older Brother
Alican Şengün is Alperen Şengün’s older brother and one of the most influential people in his basketball development.
Born around 1994, Alican is approximately eight years older than Alperen.
Growing up in Giresun, he developed an interest in basketball before his younger brother.
According to Alperen’s first coach, Salim Taslı, Kemal Şengün initially approached him because Alican wanted to begin structured basketball training.
However, Alican was already in his mid-teens, which made it difficult for him to follow the same youth development pathway as younger players.
Nevertheless, his involvement in basketball created an opportunity for Alperen to discover the sport.
When Alperen was approximately seven years old, he began accompanying his father to watch Alican’s practices.
During breaks and after training sessions, he would enter the court and practise shooting.
His natural ability soon attracted the attention of Taslı, who began coaching him.
Although Alican did not establish the same internationally recognised professional career as his younger brother, his early participation in basketball helped introduce Alperen to the game.
What Does Alican Sengun Do?
Unlike Alperen, Alican has generally maintained a private professional life.
In a 2021 Socrates interview, Alperen explained that his older brother had worked in a factory during the period when the family was supporting his basketball development.
Details about Alican’s current occupation have not been widely established through reliable public sources.
However, he remains involved in family activities and has occasionally accompanied Alperen at public events.
On May 30, 2024, Alican attended a meeting at Giresun University alongside his father, Kemal, and Alperen.
The university officially identified Alican as Alperen’s older brother in its report about the visit.
The meeting also included basketball coach Salim Taslı and university officials.
More recently, Alican has remained part of Alperen’s support system as his brother continues his career in Houston.
An April 2026 profile described Alperen and a sibling reflecting together on how dramatically their family’s living circumstances had changed.
The account demonstrated the importance of shared childhood memories and family relationships even after Alperen achieved international sporting success.
Alperen Sengun’s Older Sister
Alperen Şengün also has an older sister who has maintained a relatively private life.
Although her name has not been reliably confirmed in major public sports profiles, her existence is documented through Alperen’s own interviews.
In February 2021, he explained that his sister had attended university and subsequently married.
He also mentioned having a niece or nephew with whom he shared a close relationship.
Unlike Alican, who has appeared at public events alongside the basketball player, his sister has generally remained outside the spotlight.
Reliable sources provide limited information about her education, occupation, and present activities.
Nevertheless, she was part of the family environment that helped shape Alperen’s childhood in Giresun.
Growing up alongside two older siblings also contributed to his early exposure to responsibility, discipline, and family cooperation.
Alperen Sengun’s Childhood: Growing Up in Giresun, Turkey
Alperen Şengün was born and raised in Giresun, a coastal city overlooking the Black Sea in northeastern Turkey.
His family had strong connections to fishing and the sea, with his father working as a fisherman and former diver.
During childhood, Alperen was encouraged to participate in swimming because of his physical build.
However, basketball eventually became his preferred sport.
He discovered the game through his older brother Alican and began training under Salim Taslı at approximately eight years old.
As his skills improved, he became involved with the youth basketball programme associated with Giresun University.
His combination of height, coordination, and understanding of the game quickly attracted attention.
During a youth basketball festival in Denizli, scouts from Banvit recognised his potential.
The club subsequently invited him to join its development programme in Bandırma.
Although the opportunity required him to leave home at a young age, his parents recognised the importance of allowing him to pursue his ambitions.
Şengün later described leaving Giresun as one of the most emotionally difficult experiences of his basketball career.
How Alperen Sengun’s Family Helped Him Reach the NBA
Alperen Şengün’s journey to the NBA was strongly influenced by the sacrifices and encouragement of his family.
His father introduced him to the sporting environment that led to his first basketball practices.
His older brother Alican became an early example and helped spark his interest in the game.
His mother supported his ambitions while helping provide for the family.
When he moved to Bandırma, Alperen had to learn how to live independently while continuing his education and basketball development.
Despite the challenges of living far from home, he gradually became one of Turkey’s leading young basketball prospects.
During the 2018–19 season, he helped Banvit’s under-19 team win the Turkish Basketball Youth League championship.
He subsequently established himself in the Turkish professional basketball system.
After playing for Bandırma and Banvit-associated teams, he joined Beşiktaş for the 2020–21 season.
His performances at Beşiktaş transformed his career.
At just 18 years old, Şengün averaged approximately 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in the Turkish Basketball Super League.
He earned the league’s Most Valuable Player award and attracted attention from NBA scouts.
In July 2021, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected him with the 16th overall pick in the NBA Draft.
His draft rights were subsequently traded to the Houston Rockets.
He made his NBA debut on October 20, 2021, beginning a new chapter in his career.
The achievement represented a remarkable transformation for a young player who had grown up in a modest household in Giresun.
Alperen Sengun’s Parents Celebrate His NBA All-Star Success
One of the proudest moments for the Şengün family occurred in January 2025, when Alperen earned his first NBA All-Star selection.
He became the second Turkish player to receive the honour, following Mehmet Okur.
The achievement attracted considerable attention throughout Turkey, especially in his hometown of Giresun.
In February 2025, Anadolu Agency interviewed Kemal and Ayşe Şengün about their son’s success.
His parents described their happiness and pride at seeing him achieve something they had never imagined during his childhood.
Kemal recalled the difficult decision to allow Alperen to leave home at the age of 12.
He explained that the family had struggled emotionally because Bandırma was so far away.
Nevertheless, they believed the opportunity was important for their son’s future.
His parents’ sacrifices were rewarded when he developed into one of the NBA’s leading young centers.
In February 2026, Şengün earned his second consecutive NBA All-Star selection after being named as an injury replacement for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The accomplishment further strengthened his reputation as one of the most successful Turkish basketball players in NBA history.
Alperen Sengun’s Family and His Life in Houston
Although Alperen Şengün lives and works in the United States, he continues maintaining strong relationships with his parents and siblings in Turkey.
His family frequently visits him during the NBA season.
In a December 2023 interview reported by Sözcü, Şengün explained that having his family in Houston positively affected his everyday routine.
Their presence helped him maintain better sleeping and eating habits while providing emotional support during the demanding NBA season.
He also enjoyed spending time with his parents, watching basketball, and discussing his performances.
His father continued analysing his games and expressing expectations about his level of effort.
Şengün has also returned to Turkey during the NBA offseason to reconnect with family members and friends.
In June 2026, Turkish media reported that he spent time with relatives during a holiday in Antalya.
These family visits demonstrate that his connection to Turkey remains an important part of his personal identity despite his international career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alperen Sengun’s Family
Who is Alperen Sengun’s girlfriend?
Alperen Şengün was in a widely publicised relationship with American model Hannah Cherry. However, reports in May and June 2026 raised questions about a possible breakup. Their current relationship status has not been reliably confirmed.
Is Alperen Sengun married?
No marriage has been publicly confirmed for Alperen Şengün. Although his relationship with Hannah Cherry generated marriage speculation, there has been no verified wedding announcement.
Does Alperen Sengun have children?
There are no publicly confirmed children belonging to Alperen Şengün. The Houston Rockets center has not announced becoming a father.
Who is Alperen Sengun’s father?
His father is Kemal Şengün, a former fisherman and basketball enthusiast from Giresun, Turkey. Kemal helped introduce Alperen to basketball through his connection with coach Salim Taslı.
Who is Alperen Sengun’s mother?
His mother is Ayşe Şengün, who previously worked in childcare. She played an essential role in raising Alperen and supporting his basketball ambitions.
How many siblings does Alperen Sengun have?
Alperen Şengün has two older siblings: a brother named Alican Şengün and an older sister whose name has not been reliably established in public sources.
Who is Alperen Sengun’s brother?
His older brother is Alican Şengün, who helped spark Alperen’s interest in basketball. Alican attended basketball training before Alperen began playing the sport.
Does Alperen Sengun have a sister?
Yes. Alperen Şengün has an older sister. He mentioned in a 2021 interview that she had attended university and later married, although her name has not been widely publicised.
Is Alperen Sengun the youngest in his family?
Yes. Alperen is the youngest of three children born to Kemal and Ayşe Şengün.
Where are Alperen Sengun’s parents from?
His parents are from Turkey and have strong family connections to Giresun, a coastal city on the Black Sea.
What did Alperen Sengun’s father do for a living?
Kemal Şengün worked as a fisherman and previously played basketball. He also had experience as a diver.
Who introduced Alperen Sengun to basketball?
His older brother Alican helped spark his interest in basketball, while his father introduced him to coach Salim Taslı, who became his first basketball coach.
Who is Hannah Cherry?
Hannah Cherry is an American model who became known through her relationship with Alperen Şengün. She attended basketball games and appeared with him during holidays and family gatherings.
When was Alperen Sengun born?
Alperen Şengün was born on July 25, 2002, in Giresun, Turkey.
What NBA team does Alperen Sengun play for?
Alperen Şengün plays for the Houston Rockets. He joined the franchise after being selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Has Alperen Sengun been an NBA All-Star?
Yes. Şengün earned consecutive NBA All-Star selections in 2025 and 2026, becoming the first Turkish player to receive the honour twice.
Orlando Bloom is a sports journalist and analyst specializing in in-depth NBA coverage, tactical breakdowns, and advanced player analytics. With a passion for professional basketball, he covers everything from trade deadline maneuvers and Draft prospects to team strategies and league-wide trends. Combining detailed stat analysis with game context, Orlando delivers sharp insights and compelling stories for avid basketball fans and casual followers alike.
