Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Serge IbakaHere’s detailed information about Serge Ibaka:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Serge Jonas Ibaka Ngobila
  • Nationality: Congolese-Spanish
  • Age: Born September 18, 1989
  • Hometown: Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
  • Height: 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m)
  • Weight: 235 lbs (107 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m)
  • Shoe Size: 16 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 9, 7, and 25 during his career
  • Position: Power forward / Center
  • High School: Did not attend high school in the traditional American system; grew up playing basketball in Congo.
  • College: Did not attend college; played professionally in Europe before entering the NBA.
  • NBA Draft: 2008, Round 1, Pick 24 by the Seattle SuperSonics (later became the Oklahoma City Thunder)
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Oklahoma City Thunder (2009–2016)
    2. Orlando Magic (2016–2017)
    3. Toronto Raptors (2017–2020)
    4. Los Angeles Clippers (2020–2022)
    5. Milwaukee Bucks (2022–2023)
    6. Indiana Pacers (2023, briefly but didn’t play a game)
  • Championship Rings:
    • 1 NBA Championship: 2019 with the Toronto Raptors
  • Kids: Ibaka has a daughter, Ranie Ibaka, who lives in France.
  • Siblings: Serge Ibaka is one of 18 siblings from a large family in Congo.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Serge Ibaka’s archetype was that of a modern rim-protecting stretch big, a frontcourt player who blended elite shot blocking with enough shooting touch to keep defenses honest. Defensively, he was at his best as a back-line anchor who erased attempts around the basket, contested vertically, and had enough mobility to survive away from the rim, especially in his prime. Offensively, he was never a primary creator, but he became a valuable complementary scorer through pick-and-pop jumpers, floor spacing, rim runs, put-backs, and quick finishes off simple actions. Physically, Ibaka brought the profile teams covet in an interior defender: a strong 6-foot-10 frame, long reach, explosive leaping ability, and the kind of power that let him play through contact. His overall play style was built on efficiency and defensive impact, evolving from a pure shot-swatting interior force into a more rounded two-way big who could protect the paint on one end and stretch the floor on the other. (Bleacher Report)

Notes:

Fun Facts

  • Ibaka grew up in the Republic of Congo during a time of civil unrest. He began playing basketball as a way to cope with personal loss after the death of his mother and later his father.
  • Before entering the NBA, Ibaka played for CB L’Hospitalet and Manresa in Spain.
  • Known for his shot-blocking ability, Ibaka led the NBA in blocks per game in 2012 and 2013, earning the nickname “Serge Iblocka.”
  • Over time, Ibaka developed into a capable scorer, adding a reliable three-point shot to his game.
  • Ibaka played a key role in the Raptors’ championship run, providing defense, rebounding, and timely scoring off the bench.
  • Ibaka is a fashion enthusiast, chef, and musician. He has a YouTube series, “How Hungry Are You?”, where he interviews fellow players while serving them unconventional dishes.
  • Ibaka is multilingual, speaking Lingala, French, Spanish, and English fluently.
  • He is active in charitable efforts through the Serge Ibaka Foundation, focusing on education and health initiatives for children in Congo and other underprivileged areas.

Sources:

NBA.com — Serge Ibaka Bio
Basketball-Reference — Serge Ibaka Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Raptors Republic — 2017-18 Player Review: Serge Ibaka
Bleacher Report — Serge Ibaka’s 3-Point Shooting Is His Latest Evolution into Two-Way NBA Star