The Euroleague market has not stopped giving surprises this summer. Kemba Walker, to AS Monaco; Willy and Juancho Hernangómez back to Europe to play for Barcelona and Greek side Panathinaikos, respectively; Facundo Campazzo, back at Real Madrid… A succession of good players who have been joined by Serge Ibaka.
The center (34 years old and 2.08 m) will play next season for Bayern Munich after 14 years in the NBA. In the North American League, the Hispanic-Congolese was part of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors (with ring included), Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks, where he played his last game as a professional on January 1, 2023 before be traded on February 9 to the Indiana Pacers within the macro-operation, with four teams involved, that took Kevin Durant from Brooklyn to Phoenix. Two days after that move, Ibaka was fired.
From that moment on, the Spanish international was without a team… until Bayern arrived and, of course, Pablo Laso. “The fact that he is the coach was a decisive factor for me. He is one of the best coaches in the world,” said Ibaka in his presentation as a new Munich player. “It is a privilege for me to be able to join this historic, world-renowned sports club so that the basketball team can rise to the top of Europe. I had a long career in the NBA, but I faced this new chapter with great enthusiasm: I have a lot of fire in me and I love the game.”
The center coincided with Laso for a brief period of time in 2011. That year, the NBA stopped due to the lockout, and the player ended up for just over a month in a Madrid where the Vitorian coach also just landed. And the rest of the story is known: the coach forged one of the best eras ever in the white basketball section until his dismissal for health reasons, according to Real, in the summer of 2022. And Ibaka became one of the best blockers in the North American League and NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors.
“I spent my youth in Spain (I trained between L’Hospitalet and Manresa) and I played internationally with the National Team in the Games, the World Cup and the Eurobasket (50 games with Spain for a continental gold and an Olympic silver). In addition, I played several Euroleague games with Madrid. Yes, that was all a while ago and it may take me some time to get used to the new pace of competitions and the game here again. But I have a lot of confidence in it,” continued the Spanish-Congolese.
He is the sixth addition of the summer for Bayern after the signings of Leandro Bolmaro, Sylvain Franciso, Carsen Edwards, Devin Booker and Dino Radoncic. And, perhaps, the most media-friendly. Ibaka, at 34 years old, is no longer the physical wonder of a decade ago, but he is a player who can continue to be decisive, in defense and attack. “I want to contribute my experience to help Coach Laso establish a high level and a strong team work ethic. I always give my all in the game and I definitely plan to do the same here in Munich. I hope to help young people,” he continued.
“On the court I want to help the team in everything necessary, from defense to my shooting. I want to be part of the team, collaborate and achieve a winning mentality,” Ibaka concluded.
2023-09-21 18:06:50
#Ibaka #Laso #coaches #world
