Draft Prospect: Serge Ibaka

[Marcus Bryant]

Full Name: Serge Jonas Ibaka Ngobila
Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 6-10 / 220
Birthdate: September 18, 1989
High School:
Team: C.B. L’Hospitalet
Country: Spain

NBA
NBADraft.net
DraftExpress

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Project that could turn into a beast at the NBA level someday, but I don't think we can waste the 26 on a project big.

[AFBlue]

Write-up from the first day of Reebok EuroCamp on Ibaka. He sound very appealing as an athlete and could be a good outside-in forward for the Spurs...I could think of worse directions to go at #26, though swingman should still be the priority.

Serge Ibaka- Ibaka had a terrific start, showcasing his incredible physical tools in nearly every moment he was on the floor, while also displaying a much better skill level than we may have given him credit for. His athleticism looked nothing short of breathtaking, as he showed running the floor in transition, cleaning up the offensive glass by jumping straight over opponents for a put-back dunk, an avoiding an oncoming defender in mid-flight by double-pumping and still finishing above the rim.

Ibaka was very aggressive running the floor in transition, facing up, drawing fouls, and making powerful huge strides every time he put the ball on the floor. He even knocked down a couple of jumpers, one from 15 feet and another a spot-up attempt from beyond the arc. His touch around the rim looked much improved, as he showed on a few occasions with some basic baby hook shots, which he probably would not have been able to convert back when we saw him in New Orleans in August. He was a massive presence in the paint defensively as expected, erasing a number of shots emphatically with his incredible combination of length and explosiveness.

Playing at a strong level of compe ion with L’Hospitalet all season in the Spanish second division seems to have helped him a great deal, even if there is clearly still a lot more room left for improvement. The release point on his jumper remains inconsistent, as he gets great elevation leaping off the ground but doesn’t always shoot it from the apex of his shot, making him fairly streaky from varying ranges. His overall feel for the game, particularly in terms of his passing leaves a lot to be desired, as does his understanding of team defensive concepts and off the ball movement.

Players who are as freakishly athletic as Ibaka (there are extremely few) are always going to look great in a setting like this, so it’s probably best not to go nuts praising him, but it’s still hard not to be encouraged by the very noticeable strides he’s making. There are still a few days left to go, but from what we could see in day one, it’s very hard to see how we’re not looking at a first round pick here, even if he’s clearly 2-3 years away from being able to contribute at an NBA level. He was the talk of the camp here in day one, and seems to have helped himself a great deal just by showing up to play.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...-Day-One-2917/

[SenorSpur]

It'd be nice if the Spurs had two 1st round picks. This guy looks very enticing, but I expect him to be gone by the time the Spurs pick. Anyway, the swingman spot, HAS to be the top priority and the Spurs will almost certainly have one fall to them @ #26.

Besides, I'd be shocked if he the Sonics don't take him. They've got a history of developing players from this region of the world.

[kobyz]

he seems to me alot like Ian Mahinmi

[SenorSpur]

he seems to me alot like Ian Mahinmi

Exactly

[spursfan98]

Exactly

Mahinmi is better

[yavozerb]

Serge Ibaka

Ibaka hasn’t been able to reproduce the superb impression he drew in the first day of the camp, but it makes a lot of sense when we consider how visibly tired he’s getting after an exhausting season for him. The schedule of the camp isn’t helping him either, as he played twice the second day, twice again in the third, while he had to go through a private workout with the Seattle SuperSonics during the lunch break (“private” gets all its significance here, as not even his agents were allowed to attend it—although the Spurs were). It’s no surprise that he didn’t play in the final day of the camp.
Draftexpress

Pretty funny that spurs and sonics are assisting one another...These 2 teams will probably be involved in trade come draft day. Also, 1 of these 2 (probabl sonics) will draft Ibaka..

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Thanks for the news, yavozerb.

Hopefully it's Seattle that drafts Ibaka. Spurs don't need a big man project with their 26.

[MoSpur]

I big thumbs up from me, but I doubt he'll be around when the Spurs pick.

[MoSpur]

Here's something I found interesting. Looks like Presti is helping out the Spurs in some kind of way.

Ibaka hasn’t been able to reproduce the superb impression he drew in the first day of the camp, but it makes a lot of sense when we consider how visibly tired he’s getting after an exhausting season for him. The schedule of the camp isn’t helping him either, as he played twice the second day, twice again in the third, while he had to go through a private workout with the Seattle SuperSonics during the lunch break (“private” gets all its significance here, as not even his agents were allowed to attend it—although the Spurs were). It’s no surprise that he didn’t play in the final day of the camp.

[MoSpur]

Seems like the Spurs have some sort of interest.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Look 3 posts up .

[MoSpur]

Lol

[Bruno]

Pretty funny that spurs and sonics are assisting one another...These 2 teams will probably be involved in trade come draft day. Also, 1 of these 2 (probabl sonics) will draft Ibaka..

I disagree with you interpretation of this common workout.
Teams often work out players together. This year there will even be a 12 teams with 24 players workout.

[SenorSpur]

I hope the Sonics do draft this guy, and leave Batum on the board.

[yavozerb]

I disagree with you interpretation of this common workout.
Teams often work out players together. This year there will even be a 12 teams with 24 players workout.

Lets be realistic, is there another 2 front offices with as many pieces interlinked as these two..I do not think either will assist the other in winning, but they will do extra favors for one another. I do see one of the sonics 2nd round picks being traded the spurs during this draft..

[El_Mago]

I don't even see this guy being drafted on mock drafts, which is insane.

I looked at a scouting video of him, and the guy looks like a young KG.

He is destroying the compe ion he is competing with in the video.

I was highly impressed with what I saw, and I definitely would not mind if the Spurs use their early 2nd of Ibaka.

[SPURSGOAT]

wonder how old he really is... lol!

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

He might not be there at 45, but if he is, I wouldn't mind the Spurs taking Tyrese.

[Pistons < Spurs]

I don't even see this guy being drafted on mock drafts, which is insane.

....and I definitely would not mind if the Spurs use their early 2nd of Ibaka.

There was some uncertainty as to whether or not he would enter the draft this year. He was expected for next years draft. So many mocks never had him in the mix. But more and more you're seeing him in the middle to end of the first round. You won't get him in the 2nd round.





But don't the Spurs need more immediate help? Hornets, Lakers, Blazers, Kings, Rockets and Utah are all going to be to contend with. Ibaka is very intriguing, but yearssss away from playing in the NBA. Getting a Lee, Rush, CDR, or Jason Thompson seems much smarter to me.

Even w/ the first second rounder, you should be able to get a guy that could help this year if not next.

[timvp]

No way I'd want the Spurs to draft Ibaka. Mahinmi is enough of a project as it is. If the Spurs draft big, they need someone who can help quickly ... not three years from now.

I'd say the Sonics at 24 makes sense for both Ibaka and Seattle/North Dallas. He's got a high ceiling and the Sonics can wait on him.

[pad300]

I suspect that he will withdraw from this draft. His being in is just trying to draw exposure... He has enough talent long term to go much higher (possibly lottery) than he would right now. Especially considering that next years draft is expected to be light on bigs...

[yavozerb]

He might better off to stay in and lucky if gets drafted in the 2nd round...I am sure all international player know about Tiago's situation. Stay in this year, get draft in 2nd round by someone, stay a couple of years overseas, get a large contract instead of rookie salary..

[El_Mago]

Yeah, I would be surprised if he stays in the draft.

If some way or some how the spurs can sneak in and grab a second 1st, then it could be possible they take a wing, and strong project like Ibaka.

I know the Nets have made it clear they are interested in dealing the 1st and the Sonics at 24th could want to move out as well or at least be open to it.