By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After parting ways with FC Bayern Munich, Serge Ibaka signed a one-year contract with Real Madrid.
His addition was announced on Friday.
Per the press release: “Real Madrid C. F. has reached an agreement with FC Bayern Munich center Serge Ibaka that will see him sign for our club for the next season.
Ibaka, who already played in our colours back in 2011, returns to Real Madrid having won the League-Cup double in his last campaign in Germany, and following an unbelievable 14-year stint in the NBA, where he was crowned champion with the Toronto Raptors in 2018-2019.
The new Real Madrid center has been recognised as one of the best defenders in European basketball and the NBA, where he was named top blocker on two occasions (2011-2012 and 2012-2013) and was included in the best five defenders three times (2011-2012, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014).
For the Spanish National Team, Serge Ibaka also clinched the gold medal at the European Championships in Lithuania in 2011 and the silver medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games.”
After 14 years in the NBA and winning the championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, Ibaka returned to Europe and joined FC Bayern Munich for the 2023-24 season. Resurfacing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague following six appearances with Madrid in 2011, he went for 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.5 assists per contest, helping his side finish 15th, four games shy of a berth in the Play-In Showdown.