Immigrant of the Day: Serge Ibaka (Congo)

Serge Ibaka, a rookie for the National Basketball Association team the Oklahoma City Thunder, is our Immigrant of the Day. 

Ibaka plays the power forward position for the Thunder. He is referred to as Air Congo by his teammates. Ibaka is the 3rd youngest of 18 siblings.

Ibaka was born in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Both his mother and his father were basketball players. His father played at the Republic of Congo and with the Congolese national team, and his mother played for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ibaka was the first player from the Republic of Congo to be selected in the NBA draft.  In July, 2009, the Oklahoma City Thunder signed him to a two year contract with two more optional seasons.

Ibaka, who spoke no English when he first arrived to the NBA, depended on the help of teammate Moses Ehambe to translate for him. After a long dedicated year of learning English, Ibaka now speaks four languages: Lingala (native language), French, Spanish, and English.

Ibaka has managed to become a regular in the Oklahoma City Thunder rotation. His blocks average led all rookies in the 2009-2010 season, and he ranked number 20 overall.  Ibaka participated in the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

KJ