Newsletters
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun and his longtime girlfriend Hannah Cherry appear to have parted ways, according to widespread social media reports, after the couple unfollowed each other on Instagram, a platform where they had publicly documented their relationship for years.
The mutual unfollow, noticed by fans this week, has intensified speculation that the pair, who had been together for roughly five years, have ended their relationship. Cherry's account has since been set to private and no longer contains any public posts. Neither Sengun nor Cherry has issued a statement addressing the reports.
The couple made their relationship Instagram-official in April 2022, when Cherry posted a series of photographs and Sengun responded with affectionate comments. Despite their fame, the two kept a deliberately low profile, sharing only occasional glimpses into their personal lives on social media. Cherry, born in Chesterfield, Missouri, is a former college volleyball player who competed as an outside hitter and libero at Northern Arizona University.
In what had appeared to be a significant step toward a deeper commitment, Sengun brought Cherry to Türkiye last year to meet his family, sparking widespread reports that the couple were heading toward marriage. Cherry's parents, Cindy and George Cherry, were also frequently spotted at Rockets games cheering for the Turkish star.
The personal news comes at the tail end of a standout season for the 22-year-old Sengun. The Giresun-born center averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game across 33.3 minutes this season for Houston, further cementing his reputation as one of the NBA's most versatile big men.
He was named to his first NBA All-Star Game in 2025 and signed a five-year, $185 million contract extension with the Rockets in October 2024.
Drafted 16th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2021 NBA Draft, Sengun emerged as the franchise's cornerstone after a career that began in Türkiye's domestic leagues. He became the youngest player to win the Turkish Basketball Super League's Most Valuable Player Award in 2021 at the age of 18, and has since broken a series of franchise and league records in Houston.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
