Serge Ibaka is a professional basketball player from the People’s Republic of Congo. From 2009 to 2023, he played in the National Basketball Association for teams like the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, and Milwaukee Bucks.
In 2019, he was part of the Toronto Raptors team that won the NBA Championships. He has also played internationally for the Congolese Club Inter Club. In addition to his professional career, he has also represented the PR of Congo in international games.
Player Profile and Personal Life
Serge Jonás Ibaka Ngobila was born on September 18, 1989, in Brazzaville, PR Congo. The right-handed power forward and center stands 208 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 107 kg.
| Position | Center |
| Height / weight | 2.11 m / 107 kg |
| Born | 18 Sep 1989 |
| Nationality |
Spain
|
| Playing Style | Right Handed |
| Nickname | Air Congo |
| Team History | |
| Bayern Munich | 2023 - present |
Milwaukee
|
2022 - 2023 |
LA Clippers
|
2020 - 2022 |
| Agua Caliente Clippers | 2021 |
Toronto
|
2017 - 2020 |
Orlando
|
2016 - 2017 |
Oklahoma City
|
2009 - 2016 |
| Manresa | 2008 - 2009 |
| L'Hospitalet | 2007 - 2008 |
| Inter Club | 2006 |
His father was also a professional basketball player and was on the Congolese National Team. Ibaka’s mother also played for the country. During the Second Congo War, his father was taken as a political prisoner.
Professional Career
His first professional team was Inter Club. While with the team, he played in the 2006 FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup. When he was 17, he moved to France and played for L’Hospitalet.
He later moved to Spain and signed to play for Riccoh Manresa from 2008 to 2009.
While he was with Manresa, he was drafted into the NBA by the Seattle Supersonics during the 2008 NBA Draft. He was the 24th overall pick. In 2009, the Oklahoma City Thunder paid for the rest of Ibaka’s contract with Manresa to allow him to play in the NBA. He played with the team from 2009 to 2011.
During the 2011 NBA Lockout, he played for Real Madrid. He returned to Oklahoma afterward and played for them through to 2016. He was the NBA Blocks Leader from 2012 and 2013.
He was traded to the Orlando Magic in June 2016. After the season, he was again traded to the Toronto Raptors. In 2019, he was part of the team that won the NBA Championships.
In 2020, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, and in 2022, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks which signed him to a one-year contract.
In 2023, he left the NBA and signed with Bayern Munich where he still plays as of the start of 2024.
Career Highlights
- 2019 - NBA champion
- 2012–2014 - NBA All-Defensive First Team
- 2012, 2013 - NBA blocks leader
- 2024 - German Cup winner
Medal Record, Men’s Basketball, Representing Spain
- Silver - 2012 London Team
- Gold - 2011 FIBA European Championship Lithuania
