Serge Ibaka, the former Toronto Raptors star who played a crucial role in their 2019 NBA Championship win, is making headlines once again. This time, it’s not for his performance on the court but for his upcoming move to Real Madrid’s basketball team.
Serge Ibaka’s Recent NBA Performance
Serge Ibaka most recently played in the NBA during the 2022-23 season with the Milwaukee Bucks. That year, he appeared in 16 games, averaging 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Despite limited playtime, he managed an impressive shooting percentage of 48.1% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc.
Signing with Real Madrid
According to FCB Basket News, Serge Ibaka is set to join Real Madrid’s basketball team. The Spanish outlet reported, “While at home we only have rumors and smoke, in Madrid, they continue working. After signing Andrés Feliz as the new point guard, we can confirm that Serge Ibaka will play next season in @RMBaloncesto.”
This news has been further validated by another Spanish sports news site, encestando.es, which stated, “Serge Serge Ibaka is close to an agreement for a season with Real Madrid, I was confirmed by several sources.”
Serge Ibaka’s NBA Journey
Serge Ibaka was the 24th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, now known as the Oklahoma City Thunder. Throughout his 14-season career, he has played for several teams, including the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Thunder.
Nov 22, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) speaks to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) prior to action against the Dallas Mavericks at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Serge Ibaka’s career averages stand at 12.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 51.3% from the field and 35.9% from three-point range over 919 regular-season games (697 starts). He has also made significant contributions in the playoffs, appearing in 152 NBA playoff games (102 starts).
Championship Legacy
One of the highlights of Ibaka’s career was his instrumental role in the Toronto Raptors‘ 2019 NBA Championship victory. The Raptors defeated Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in a thrilling six-game series to secure their first-ever NBA title.
Jun 13, 2019; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) celebrate with the Larry O’Brien Trophy after the Golden State Warriors in game six of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
European Experience
Last season, Serge Ibaka played for Bayern München, appearing in 28 games. His move to Real Madrid marks another significant chapter in his illustrious career, bringing his wealth of experience and championship pedigree to one of Europe’s most storied basketball clubs.
As Serge Ibaka prepares to don the Real Madrid jersey, fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see how this seasoned veteran will contribute to his new team. With his proven track record and championship experience, there’s no doubt that Serge Ibaka will continue to make a significant impact on the court.
