One of the most dominant defensive big men of the NBA’s last two decades is looking for a new team.
Serge Ibaka, most known for his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Toronto Raptors, is out of his contract in Europe.
Ibaka left Real Madrid, the Spanish team announced earlier in the week.
The 35-year old big fella averaged 6.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game during EuroLeague play for the Spanish giants.
This was Ibaka’s second year overseas. In 2023-24, he played for German powerhouse Bayern Munich.
Ibaka last played in the NBA in 2023 for the Milwaukee Bucks. He also played for the Clippers and Magic in a 14-year NBA career.
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His first seven seasons were with the Thunder after being a first-round pick.
He spent four influential seasons with the Raptors.
Ibaka’s NBA career stats included 12.0 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game and 1.9 blocks per game.
He finished 2nd place, 3rd place and 4th place in Defensive Player of the Year in three consecutive seasons from 2011-14. He twice led the NBA in blocks in that span, with seasons of 3.7 and 3.0 blocks per game.
Ibaka won’t be coming back to the NBA, it doesn’t appear, but he should still receive European interest if he wants to keep playing.
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