TORONTO — When Serge Ibaka made his annual summer trip home to the Republic of Congo, his itinerary was similar to that of his previous visits. He spent time with family members and close friends. He held basketball clinics for local youths, part of the charitable arm of his Serge Ibaka Foundation.
But this time, Ibaka, a member of the Toronto Raptors, was also returning as a newly minted NBA champion, which meant he got to bring along the championship trophy. And while the trip included a visit with the country’s president, the highlight of his journey surely took place elsewhere — at a restaurant in Brazzaville, the capital of the country.