The big man suited up for Los Blancos in 2011-12
Real Madrid and Serge Ibaka reunite
Article
3 Mins read
Real Madrid has fortified its frontcourt by signing Serge Ibaka, who returns to the Spanish capital after spending part of the 2011-12 season there. He signed a one-year deal with Los Blancos.
Ibaka (2.08 meters, 34 years old) was a force in the paint last season for FC Bayern Munich, for which he averaged 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game for a PIR of 15.8. Ibaka made 62.8% of his two-pointers and 48.0% of his threes. He was second in the league in rebounding, third in blocks and 13th in PIR. Ibaka also won the German League and Cup double with Bayern.
A former NBA champion
Born in the People's Republic of the Congo, Ibaka made a name for himself during his 14 seasons in the NBA. In that time, he won the championship in 2019 and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team on three occasions. Ibaka started his career in his native Brazzaville and played for ES Prisse Macon of France as well as for L'Hospitalet and Manresa of Spain before joining the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA in 2009. After seven seasons in Oklahoma, Ibaka went on to play for the Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks. He helped Toronto win the title and reached the finals with Oklahoma City in 2012.
An accomplished defender
Ibaka was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in three consecutive seasons from 2011-12 to 2013-14. He led the NBA in blocks twice: in the 2011-12 (3.7 bpg.) and 2012-13 campaigns (3.0 bpg.).
Ibaka ranks 26th in the NBA's all-time blocked shots standings (1,759). In 919 NBA regular-season career games, Ibaka amassed 11,028 points (12.0 ppg.) and 6,513 rebounds (7.1 rpg.). He averaged 10.6 points, 6.3 playoffs and 1.9 blocks in 152 NBA playoff games, too. Ibaka ranks eighth all-time in NBA playoff blocked shots with 292.
Returning to Madrid
Ibaka briefly played for Real Madrid in the EuroLeague during the 2010-11 season during the NBA lockout. He averaged 5.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in six EuroLeague games. Ibaka's best game for Real came against Belgacom Spirou Charleroi when he had 12 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks in a 93-89 victory.
He has also been a member of the Spanish national team, which he helped to a gold medal at EuroBasket 2011 and a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Before that, Ibaka represented the Republic of the Congo at the youth level.