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14-year NBA veteran signs with Real Madrid

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Serge Ibaka had a long career spanning 14 years in the NBA. He last played in the league in the 2022-23 season before joining Bayern Munich of the EuroLeague. Now it appears the 34-year-old will continue to play outside North America next season. He is reportedly close to signing a deal with a new team.

14-year NBA veteran signs with Real Madrid

Are you going to play with Real Madrid?

According to website Encestado (written in Spanish), Ibaka is expected to sign for Real Madrid for the 2024-2025 season. It will actually be a return to Spain for Ibaka. After being selected in the 2008 NBA Draft, Ibaka played one season for Baxi Manresa before starting his NBA career.

Not only is it a return to Spain, but it is also a return to Real Madrid. Ibaka signed a two-month contract with them in 2011 while the NBA was in a lockout. The deal included an option to return to the NBA once the lockout ended, which he did.

The 6-11 Ibaka played 28 games for Bayern Munich in the EuroLeague last season. He averaged 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 24.7 minutes per game. His shooting splits were .598/.480/.667 on the season.

Serge Ibaka was once one of the most feared rim protectors

Ibaka’s most productive NBA seasons came during his first seven years playing with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He led the league in blocks consecutive seasons in 2011–12 (3.7) and 2012–13 (3.0). For three consecutive seasons, from 2011-12 to 2013-14, Ibaka was named to the All-Defensive First Team. In those three seasons, he finished second, third and fourth as Defensive Player of the Year. Oklahoma City reached the NBA Finals in 2012, but lost to the Miami Heat in five games.

After moving on with the Thunder, Ibaka played with four other teams in the Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks. In the 2019 playoffs, Ibaka was a key reserve on a championship-winning Raptors team. He last played 16 games with the Bucks in 2022-23 before being traded to the Indiana Pacers and subsequently released.

In 919 NBA regular season games (697 starts), Ibaka has averages of 12.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. He has shot 51.3% from the field, 35.9% from three-point range and 75.7% from the charity stripe. Ibaka’s 1,759 career blocks rank him 26th in NBA history.

In 2008, Ibaka became the first player born in the Republic of Congo to be selected in the NBA Draft. He is also a Spanish national and helped the country win a silver medal in men’s basketball in 2012. Ibaka turns 35 years old on September 18.

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