HOUSTON (AP) — Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun both agreed to contract extensions with the Houston Rockets, a person with knowledge of the details said Monday.
Green, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft, agreed to a three-year, $106 million extension. Sengun, who was chosen 16th in the same draft, agreed to five-year, $185 million extension.
The person confirmed the specifics of the agreements to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deals had not been announced. Both deals were first reported by ESPN.
Both players are entering the final seasons of their rookie contracts. Green's new deal will begin next season and includes a player option for the third year, giving him the flexibility to opt out of the contract before the 2027-28 season to become a free agent.
Sengun's extension also begins next season and includes a player option for the fifth season in 2029-30.
Green played in all 82 games last season and averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists to help the Rockets make a 19-game improvement from the previous season. He has made 545 3-pointers after making a career-high 201 last season.
The 22-year-old Green was drafted at 19 after spending one season with the G League Ignite.
He averaged 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a rookie. Green averaged a career-best 22.1 points in his second NBA season in 2022-23.
Sengun had a breakout year last season when he averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and five assists — all career highs — in 63 games. He missed the last part of the season with a severely sprained ankle.
The Turkish center averaged 14.8 points and nine assists in the 2022-23 season after averaging just 9.6 points and 5.5 rebounds as a rookie.
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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, left, tries to spin around Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) looks to pass the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, back, knocks the ball away from Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, front, during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) reacts after making a three point basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Guardian Caps are soft, protective helmet covers that the NFL authorized players to wear during games this season in an effort to reduce head injuries.
Several players have worn them over the first seven weeks, though Tua Tagovailoa, like most NFL players, said Monday he won’t wear the headgear when he returns from his latest concussion. Players have cited various reasons, including comfort and aesthetics, for not wearing them.
The NFL has mandated the caps' use at contact practices for most players since 2022. Quarterbacks, kickers and punters are the only position groups not required to wear the caps during practices that involve contact.
There are six types of helmet the league has approved that players can wear during contact practices that don’t require the Guardian Caps.
Tagovailoa has been cleared by medical experts to return to play for the Miami Dolphins after he sustained his latest concussion during a collision with Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin in Week 2.
If Tagovailoa clears the NFL’s concussion protocol after he practices on Wednesday, he is expected to start against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Here’s a look at the Guardian Caps and how they are used in the NFL:
The 12-ounce padded shells are affixed to the top of a player’s helmet. The NFL has said studies indicate that when one player wears the protective gear, it results in at least a 10% reduction in severity of impact. That number increases to at least 20% if both players involved in a collision are wearing them.
The league introduced this season eight position-specific helmets for quarterbacks and linemen. The position-specific helmets aren’t concussion-proof but are designed to limit head trauma.
“Anyone can have a concussion in any helmet with the right blow,” NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills told The Associated Press. “What we’re always looking at is relative risk reduction. And so by wearing one of the best-performing helmets, a player definitely lowers their risk of concussion. And again, that’s what our lab data and our on-field data have shown over the past eight years.”
The NFL last week said it saw its fewest concussions in the preseason since tracking started in 2015. There were 44 concussions in practices and games, a decrease of about 24% from last year. Use of the Guardian Caps was among the reasons league executive Jeff Miller cited for the reduction.
More than 300 college programs, 3,000 high school and 750 youth programs across the country use the caps.
Guardian was founded in 2010 by Erin and Lee Hanson. The Guardian Cap launched in 2011 and became available in 2012 after successful biomechanical testing and field testing.
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa speaks during an NFL football news conference, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, at the Dolphins training facility in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa takes questions during a news conference, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, at the Dolphins training facility in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
