While many were shocked to learn that Serge Ibaka has a 10-year old daughter, the Oklahoma City Thunder star was surprised too.

At 17, Ibaka left a war-torn Republic of the Congo to pursue a basketball career in Europe. Not long after, a family friend Ibaka dated informed Ibaka’s father that she was pregnant.

Ibaka’s father, Desire, didn’t tell Serge about the child until he was an established NBA player with the Thunder.

“I knew he did that to protect me,” Serge Ibaka said. “I knew he didn’t want me to have that kind of pressure. He said to me ‘I was just doing that to protect you.'”

In the years since meeting his daughter, Serge has had her alongside him when he returns to the Congo for mission trips. In September of 2015, Ranie made the full move to the United States, to Oklahoma City with her father.

Ibaka did not find out about Ranie until she was five years old.  While Ibaka understands why his parents kept this from him, it must’ve been a crazy conversation to have when they finally revealed her existence.  It’s great to see Ibaka fully stepped up, tried to make up for lost time and has shown immense love for his daughter.

“Her being here changed my life,” Ibaka said. “She’s a gift from God. I try to do the best possible I can to be the best person I can be for her, to be there for her and support her.”

Yahoo! Sports did a mini documentary about Ibaka and his relationship with Ranie.  You can watch it below.

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source: NewsOK