Former Toronto Raptors championship center Serge Ibaka is going overseas.
He signed with Real Madrid of the Liga ACB in Spain for next year, according to FCB Basket News.
Ibaka was a 14-year veteran that has been an All-Defensive selection three times and led the NBA in blocks twice. Famously know for his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
He last played for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2022-23 season, but only suited up for 16 games. Only averaging 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds on 48.1 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three.
However, he did become a prominent figure with the Raptors in bringing in their first championship in franchise history. Toronto went all in by trading for one year of Kawhi Leonard and it paid off.
During that 2018-19 season, Ibaka played 74 games, starting 51 of them. He averaged 15 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks on 52.9 from the field and 29 percent from deep.
In tandem with Marc Gasol, they formed a formidable frontcourt around Kawhi Leonard with a defensive minded head coach in Nick Nurse.
When playing the Golden State Warriors in the Finals, Toronto’s size bothered them and were able to get enough stops against a dynamic Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson backcourt.
All things considered, Ibaka is 34-years-old and nearing the end of his basketball career. Toronto was able to get a few more good years out of him before his departure.
After going to the Los Angeles Clippers, Ibaka’s production continued to drop off, resulting in lower minutes. Hopefully, he is able to salvage his final years as a player overseas.
Serge Ibaka releases song based on former Raptors teammate Kawhi Leonard’s viral quote
Now that he is essentially two years removed from the NBA, Ibaka has lamented on his championship run with Toronto. This led to him releasing a song titled after Leonard’s quote of ‘What It Do Baby,’ which he said during the Raptors’ championship celebration.
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