Serge Ibaka could play for Spanish NT?

[brassviews]

According to marca.com, it is possible that Serge Ibaka(2.11-C) plays for Spain. The Congolese center has made his presence very clear in the NBA by becoming a formidable defensive presence in the frontcourt. His defensive abilities (top blocker of the Oklahoma Thunder) have impressed a lot of people and the article implies that the naturalisation of Ibaka is possible.

According to the current legislation in Spain he needs to be a citizen of Spain for 10 consecutive years so he could a Spanish passport in 2017 but he could also be "naturalized". This is a special decision of the Government (by Royal Decree) reserved for special individuals that could help Spain. This was done very recently for another basketball prodigy, Nikola Mirotic who is expected to shine in the future for Real Madrid, and of course Spain. Ibaka has lived in Spain for 3 years and he has a house in Manresa where he also has friends. Ibaka has been averaging 6.3 points 5.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 73 games for Oklahoma and all that with an average of 18.1 minutes of playing time.

http://thehoop.blogspot.com/2010/04/ser ... spain.html

Interesting if true. Of course this wouldn't be the first time an African player would play for a western nation (Olajuwon + USA).

[Profanity]

Fine, as far as he has some friends in Spain he can be an Spanish citizen... whatever...

[Franstyle]

He could be spanish citizen if the spanish goverment considers that he could help to the spanish team, because he lived some year in spanish. I think he normally lives in Spain, if he doesn´t get the nacionality by the goverment, he could get it by living 10 years in Spain, but im not sure at all.

A young Real Madrid´s player born in the balkans got the nacionality some month ago for that reason.

[mnWI]

He could be spanish citizen if the spanish goverment considers that he could help to the spanish team, because he lived some year in spanish. I think he normally lives in Spain, if he doesn´t get the nacionality by the goverment, he could get it by living 10 years in Spain, but im not sure at all.

A young Real Madrid´s player born in the balkans got the nacionality some month ago for that reason.

Mamadou Samb as well, and Christian Eyenga is along the same path. And they all share the same agency.

[salaner]

None of these guys are residents of Spain - a needed prerequisite for the acquisition of Spanish nationality, with or without the 10-year rule. So it's a moot question. They won't play for Spain. It's a different story for Real Madrid's Nikola Mirotic, a 6-11, 19 year-old from Montenegro who recently played in the Nike Hoop Summit. He has been living in Spain since he was 14, and last month was given Spanish citizenship.

[jowy]

Ibaka lives in Manresa, when he is not in the states...

[sorokii]

Ibaka could play for Spanish NT, but he never will.