Serge Ibaka is a physical specimen to behold – a 6-10 power forward/center from the Republic of the Congo with strength and a mature body that belies his 20 years.

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His ability to get off the floor, reaction time, and solid hands are a great foundation for a player that has only really played two years of organized basketball – in the Spanish ACB, the top league in Europe.

His frame and athleticism reminds me of Dwight Howard – a Dwight Howard that can speak Congolese, Spanish, and French… but little English.

“Last July when we first brought him over, I had a difficult time, frankly, just communicating with him,” Thunder Coach Scott Brooks says. “He had very little English. I was like, ‘Jump high. Run fast. Block shots. “He takes English lessons every week. Now I can talk to him, but I have to say it twice sometimes to make sure he understands it.”

As we know, potential doesn’t get you far in the NBA, you also have to have a head for the game, put in the effort coupled with a competitive fire.

It seems that Ibaka’s progression isn’t just his body maturing, but that he understands the game and has an intensity and IQ that makes his coach, Scott Brooks, smile.

“(Serge is) a fearless competitor. He’s serious about getting better every play. We all like what he brings to the team … a protect-the-basket-block-shots-alter-shots mentality.” said Brooks. “And he just gives up his body.”

“There are a lot of guys who played AAU ball and up who don’t have his basketball IQ,” Brooks says. “He understands the game and he understands what we want.”

Part of that reason is because Ibaka didn’t have the pampered upbringing of a typical American prospect. His hunger comes from growing up as one of 18 children in Brazzaville, Congo.

Since then, Ibaka game, thanks to his combination of basketball skill and athletic prowess, has grown by leaps and bounds.  He had a career high seven blocks against the Los Angeles Lakers.

With his first season behind him and a promising future ahead of him, look for Ibaka to continue his growth.  The league is paying attention.