Ranie Ibaka’s Story

The Oklahoma City Thunder forward is one of the best players in the league, but his life began far from the glitter and fame he enjoys today. His humbling upbringing and his faith have helped him remain grounded and focused on his mission to help others overcome their obstacles.

When he was 17, Ibaka left the Republic of Congo to pursue his basketball dreams. However, he had no idea that he was leaving behind his daughter.

His journey

During his childhood in the Republic of the Congo, Ibaka faced many challenges. Despite his adversities, he was determined to overcome them.

Ibaka left the war-torn country in pursuit of a basketball career, and eventually made it to the NBA. Along the way, he created the Serge Ibaka Foundation to give back to his community.

He believes he has the power to change lives in his home country by providing access to education and helping kids dream big and hope for the future. He has been working to help kids in the Congo get the chance they deserve through his foundation and through his work on the court.

He’s also a father of an adorable daughter, Ranie. In a touching new video, The Vertical’s Chris Mannix tells the story of how the Oklahoma City Thunder forward reconnected with his daughter.

His family

Ranie Ibaka is the daughter of NBA player Serge Ibaka. She got into the spotlight as the superstar little girl, but there isn’t a lot of information about her own life.

Born in Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo, Ibaka left the country at 17 and pursued a basketball career in Europe. When he returned home, he told his family about a child he had with a woman he dated.

Rather than rushing into a relationship with the kid, Ibaka’s family kept it a secret out of fear that he would abandon his NBA career to care for her in the war-torn country. It took years for the two to meet, but now Ibaka has made Ranie his daughter and makes it a point to post photos of them on Instagram time and again.

In addition to being an incredible father, Ibaka is also a philanthropist. His charitable foundation helps young children in his home country and across West Africa through health and education programs.

His faith

Despite the plethora of perks that come with being an NBA star, Ibaka has always maintained a strong faith. He uses it to stay grounded, and he has made a commitment to use his platform to help those in need, especially his daughter Ranie.

Ibaka is a Christian, and has been reading the Bible on a daily basis since he moved to the U.S. His teammate Kevin Durant has also played a key role in helping him deepen his relationship with God.

Although he was not a born-again Christian when he first started playing basketball, Ibaka says he has embraced the religion in recent years. He also plays a role in promoting the gospel through his involvement in a UNICEF initiative that provides resources to children around the world, including in his home country of Congo.

As a father, Ibaka has adapted to his new role and has been able to give Ranie the best life has to offer. He’s a proud dad and says raising her has been the most rewarding experience of his life.

His style

In the NBA, style can be as important as a big dunk, block or swished jumper. Whether it’s the way a player walks through the tunnel to their locker room or how they create their latest signature sneakers, cameras are looking for every detail.

Ibaka is a 6′ 10 power forward whose style draws inspiration from the streets of his native Brazzaville to the runways of Paris and Milan. He often says he prefers to keep his wardrobe simple and fresh, and he’s not afraid to mix and match his colors.

He’s also known for his cooking skills and has a YouTube show called “Mafuzzy Chef,” which features famous guests like Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Tiffany Haddish.

As a father, Ibaka takes pride in his daughter Ranie’s fashion sense and said she’s always been interested in clothes. She’s even started a fashion blog with her mom, Desire, which is called Ranie’s Closet.

Watch out for the rest of Time fores for more interesting and useful articles.