Serge Ibaka is a man smiling all the way to the bank. How is that for shaking off rumors about his age and background?
The 27-year-old big man who was a free agent, had the last laugh after he resigned with the Raptors on a three-year, $65 million contract, keeping him at the helm of the North’s defense.
The deal follows Ibaka’s statement in a tweet in which he refutes all speculation clouding his heritage and asked the media to take responsibility for false personification insisting that he ‘was not born in a jungle.’
Ibaka played a significant role in holding off a persistent and athletic Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, averaging 12.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the series.
However, against Cleveland, the Republic of Congo, Brazzaville-born star acquired from Orlando Magic, faded from his defensive prowess in what resulted in a sweep for the Cavaliers.
Ibaka was on the list of top available free agents this offseason, but according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe while appearing on Bleacher Report’s The Full 48 podcast, questioned the player’s age, implying that the truth ‘affects the free-agency market for him’ and earning power as a professional athlete.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Look, as uncomfortable as it is to say that, the league, not the league office, teams believe that (Ibaka) is older than his age.[/perfectpullquote]
“So whether he is or not, or what are the ethical issues of saying that, I don’t know. But it affects the free-agency market for him.”
Clearly, Lowe was wrong because Raptors’ faith in the Power Forward is with proof, unquestionable and worth the celebration after the latter posted a video of himself ‘running through the 6’ to Drake’s Know Yourself.
Featured photo: Getty Images
