Serge Ibaka was asleep—and in France when the news broke last Thursday that the Orlando Magic had traded to snag the NBA big man.
Now he is back in the United States and one step closer to wearing a Magic jersey.
On Thursday the team introduced Ibaka to the media exactly a week after they had sent away Victor Oladipo and Ersan Ilyasova for his services here in Orlando.
“Serge Ibaka is such an important piece to taking this organization to where we want to take it, to becoming a defensive monster,” Head Coach Frank Vogel said.
“I’m very happy, excited to be here and that’s what matters,” Ibaka said prior to the press conference. “And I’ve known Rob—the GM here since day one here in the league. He knows me very well too. He’s a nice guy and I am excited for me and my family and my daughter.”
Magic GM Rob Hennigan and Ibaka first met in Spain, while Hennigan was working with Oklahoma City.
“I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Serge for a few years and what I can tell you is that his character, his work ethic, his competitive spirit, his real sense of team and the toughness he brings is really going to heighten our group,” Hennigan said.