GRANADA (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Day 2 of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup was not only the one that saw Serge Ibaka make his first appearance in the tournament and receive standing ovations - from fans and members of his immediate family - every time he scored a point or grabbed a rebound.

It was also the day that the 24-year-old played his first official game against an African team since he represented his native Republic of Congo at 2006 FIBA Africa U18 Championship in Durban, South Africa.

Spain trounced Egypt 91-54, and Ibaka poured in a game-high 18 points and 8 boards.

In his last official game for the Republic of Congo on 6 August 2006, the 2.08m power forward had a tournament-high 37 points, and a game-best 14 boards in a 74-70 defeat to Angola in the Third-Place Game.

Since then, a lot has changed in his life.

Ibaka acquired Spanish citizenship in 2011, and went on to play the EuroBasket that very year.

Minutes after Spain's second Group A triumph in Granada, Ibaka stopped by to share his thoughts in this historic moment.

"It was either in Nigeria or South Africa," he said when asked if still remembered when he had last worn the colours of his native country at official competition.

"Durban, of course," he then corrected himself. "Yeah, I have great memories of that moment. That was when everything started. Everybody started to know who Serge Ibaka was."

In the Durban event, he led all players in scoring and rebounding with 18.6 points and 13.8 rebounds.

Although he has faced Angola and Senegal during Spain's World Cup preparations, he was yet to play an official game against an African opposition.

Taking on Egypt in his World Cup debut "was fun", he said. "I was thinking 'I am going to play an African team' but I have to help my national team get a win."

Over the past eight years, Ibaka has travelled the world.

He left Congo to live and play in Spain before accomplishing his lifetime dream of playing in the NBA.

"That's a long story, if I start to talk about it we’ll stay here all night," he said.

Marc Gasol, who has been teaming up with Ibaka on the national team, shared his thoughts about the Oklahoma City Thunder forward.

"Serge has been great for us. He gives us a different dimension. He helps us a lot.

"He is well known as an NBA player. He is learning how to play the European style. Here he has to do different things, like reading and react (to the game).

"Out of the court he is a great teammate, always positive, helping everyone, talking, he is a great guy to have around."

New Chicago Bulls recruit Pau Gasol added: "He is a great player who has improved a lot. He has worked extremely hard to become the player that he is today, and I am proud to be his teammate and friend.

"He is having a lot of impact for the national team on the offensive and defense end. He has become a really, really good player."

FIBA