ESP - NBA's Ibaka "still has a lot to learn" with Spain

PANEVEZYS (EuroBasket 2011) - Strange as it is to say, the rookie on the Spanish national team has a resume which boasts four years of professional basketball experience, including two seasons in the NBA and one in which he placed third in that league in blocked shots. That player is Serge Ibaka, who, though not quite the youngest player on Spain (that would be Ricky Rubio, by 13 months Ibaka's junior), maintains a humble attitude and a willingness to learn.

After putting in his best-yet performance with Spain, a 15-point, nine-rebound, two-block show against Lithuania in the first round of the 2011 FIBA European Championship tournament, Ibaka claimed that "There is more stuff to do to get better." Among this, he said, he could offer "more focus on defense."

Ibaka was the focus of a bit of controversy when it was announced that he would be added to the Spanish national roster for the tournament: The Congolese native represents a rare naturalized player for Spain, a country with an outstanding number of young prospects and a superior development program in Europe. Despite some grumbling from critics, however, Ibaka's heart is in the right place with regard to his adopted country.

"Spain is a country that has given me a lot," Ibaka told media after his Spanish citizenship was announced in July. Specifically speaking, Spain is where Ibaka developed his game for three years, working his way through the L'Hospitalet junior team, into the LEB and finally up to ACB side Ricoh Manresa before jumping to the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder. "It will be an honor to give Spain back all that it has given me on the court."

And thus far, Ibaka has indeed given back, showing a work ethic that head coach Sergio Scariolo has praised and enjoying the camaraderie of his teammates. While Ibaka hopes to continue as a key player with Spain through the EuroBasket tournament, into the 2012 Olympics and beyond, most importantly at present, the NBA player is accepting of the achievements these team has earned with its veteran-laden roster.

"They've been playing together for a long time and this is my first year with the team," said Ibaka. "I still have a lot to learn."

FIBA