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Ibaka Creates Memories at Youth Camp

Swatting shots, bewildering ball-handlers and burying buckets after buckets effortlessly, Thunder forward Serge Ibaka’s otherworldly athleticism was on display Friday morning at the Santa Fe Life Center in Oklahoma City. The 6-foot-10 Congolese big man paid a surprise visit and wowed 40 Thunder Youth Basketball Camp participants ages 10 to 16 in a gamut of skill development drills and games. 

Ibaka’s immediate magnetic presence in the gym generated the usual head turns with jaws agape amongst campers as he ambled from station to station. However, once the forward begun engaging in the on-court exercises with the individual participants, those awestruck faces transformed into eager learners. 

Slapping high-fives and exchanging quips with the young campers, the visit for Ibaka was a welcomed respite from his busy offseason portfolio of traveling the world, supporting charitable endeavors and staying in shape.

“It’s good for them to see NBA players come here and play around with them and smile and make some jokes,” Ibaka said.

In a spirited ball-handling game of Dribble Tag, one small camper stumbled and fell to the ground jolting the ball loose. Ibaka paused the activity momentarily to check on the youngster and ensure the child was ok before restarting the contest.

Using his currency as a top flight NBA athlete, Ibaka relished the opportunities to deliver the message of sportsmanship, respect and compassion at these youth camps as he hoped to leave an indelible impression with the 10-to-16 year olds gathered in the gym.

“When they see me doing these kind of things, they learn something,” Ibaka said.  “Being with them here, the way I’m acting and the way I’m playing off them, when they go back home, they’re going to be thinking about it.”

As the action-packed day concluded with shot-blocking challenges and knockout basketball contests for Ibaka, his engaging, good-natured personality buoyed the excitement of the camp and the enthusiasm of the campers. Much like the symbiotic relationship between the home crowd and its team, Ibaka fed off the energy of the children thrilled to work alongside the drills with him.

“The kids were so fun,” Ibaka said. “Playing off them, I always enjoy spending time with kids—I was really having fun.”

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