Man, I remember spamming that "Mafuzzy Style" song back in the 2018-19 championship run glory days. Or that one "Raptor Foot" meme, if you can recall too. What do those two things have in common? They both reference Serge Ibaka, who was once the Raptors' steady big man enforcer, whether he was starting or coming off the bench.
And arguably, what Ibaka was most known for were his elaborate, elegant outfits and his unique style that set him apart as one of the NBA's best-dressed players. However, ex-Raptors defensive ace OG Anunoby would probably say he’s the one who really put Ibaka on scarves.
Ibaka held a prominent spot within the Raptors' pecking order for years, quickly becoming a fan favorite for his tenacious style. While he might not have been quite the defensive powerhouse he was in Oklahoma City, Ibaka still proved capable of making significant contributions on that end. I'm glad his efforts culminated in an NBA title in 2019, the true highlight of his career. However, in the years that followed, Ibaka’s performance and overall health declined, and by the 2022-23 season, after two subpar years with the Milwaukee Bucks, he was eventually phased out of the NBA.
Since then, Ibaka has continued his professional basketball journey overseas, a path I recently highlighted in a post-Raptors-title "Where Are They Now" piece. However, it appears Serge Ibaka has returned to the city that warmly appreciates his championship contributions, as social media posts suggest Ibaka is back in Toronto.
Ex-Raptor Serge Ibaka pays a visit to Toronto
This past weekend, Ibaka posted two photos to his X account. On August 9, he shared a shot of himself working out, seemingly at the Raptors' practice facility. The following day, August 10, he posted a picture outside the landmark CN Tower, showcasing his best hat game.
In the thread of his August 9 post, working out at the Raptors' gym, fans responded with remarks such as:
Serge u gotta mentor Chomche! Young raps need u!
— Octillery_Clinton (@octillery_g) August 10, 2025
Hop on the temple deal goat
— ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴏᴛᴏʀɪᴏᴜꜱ (@FIBA_Ingram) August 10, 2025
Raptors assistant coach Serge Ibaka has a nice ring to it
— silentwavy (@silentwavy_) August 10, 2025
Taking a closer look at Ibaka's IG account, it seems from his story that he was involved in some sort of filming process, as he’s seen driving a red Mercedes-Benz while the team records on. Given the emojis Ibaka attached to his most recent story — a clapperboard, a movie camera, and popcorn — it’s reasonable to assume that his primary purpose in Toronto was related to this filming, or at least that it was his main focus.
I wouldn’t rule out Ibaka potentially rejoining the Raptors organization down the line, but for now, it doesn’t seem like any sort of deal (whether as a player or coach) is imminent. Still though, it's always nice to see a friendly face back in town.