Top 5 OKC Thunder Rookie Selections in franchise history

No. 5- Serge Ibaka

Prior to entering the NBA, Serge Ibaka was playing professionally for the ACB League in Spain. He was a raw talent that provided a spark of energy on the defensive side of the ball, but didn’t have much of an offensive presence.

When he was selected with the 24th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, no one truly knew how valuable Ibaka would turn out to be for the Thunder franchise.

As he worked to improve his game, Ibaka was able to develop into an offensive weapon. His improved shooting became a lethal option for the Thunder offense, as they created a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses on a nightly basis.

During his seven seasons with the franchise, Ibaka was a key factor in many deep playoff runs. In 524 career games for the franchise, Ibaka averaged 11.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. His tenure with the team ended when he was traded to the Orlando Magic prior to the 2016-2017 season.