From Congo's Streets to an NBA Championship

Serge Ibaka was born Ibaka Ngobila Serge Jonas in the Republic of the Congo and grew up in Brazzaville, the capital, on streets that were largely unpaved. His childhood was marked by loss. His mother died when he was seven, and his father was sent to prison, leaving him without the support a young boy normally depends on.

For a time he lived on the streets. In the documentary Son of the Congo, made by Grantland and directed by Adam Hootnick, he spoke about the hardship of those years, including having no food and sleeping outdoors. A report on the film described his early life in plain terms: before he became a starter in the NBA, there were stretches when he lacked shoes for games, meals after practice and a place to sleep.

Basketball became his way forward. The Oklahoma City Thunder chose him with the 24th overall pick in the 2008 draft, and he became one of the team's forwards, known as one of the league's leading defenders. When he was around twenty-five he was interviewed about the film, and he said he hoped his story could inspire a lot of young people.

Ibaka returned to his home neighbourhood for the documentary, visiting the streets where he grew up and the court where he practised as a child. He has said his message goes beyond basketball, putting it in a short phrase: the dream is free, and he means it for everyone.