Getting To Know Idong Ibok

Nov. 5, 2004

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Part one of a four-part series getting to know the scholarship freshmen on the men's basketball team. Part three (Drew Neitzel) will run on Monday, Nov. 8.

A 6-foot-10, 260-pound center, Idong Ibok is one of four freshmen joining the Spartans for the 2004-05 season. A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Ibok played one season at Montverde Academy in Florida averaging 10 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.2 blocks. Possessing a 7-foot-5 wingspan and a 9-foot-3 reach, Ibok gives the Spartan lineup a natural shot-blocker for the first time in a long time.

What are your goals for yourself heading into your first season wearing the Green and White?

"First of all, I'm hoping to come in to the team and be able to contribute with toughness in the post, rebounding, and blocking shots because those are my strengths right now. I'm working on my offense, but what they need most from me right now is to bring toughness inside, rebound and block shots."

Unlike most of your teammates, you've only been playing basketball for a few years. What is it that motivates you to go out and play the game?

"The feeling of being successful and being able to go back home knowing that your parents and family are proud of you is motivating. Basketball is one thing I know I can do and achieve success in and that motivates me a lot."

You were born and raised in Nigeria before moving to the U.S. to attend high school in Florida. Michigan is a bit outside of your normal climate zone, how are you adjusting to such a drastic change of weather?

"I'm getting used to it. It's not been that bad so far. It's not as a bad as everyone makes it out to be as least so far. I think I'm adjusting well to it.

One of the coldest nights so far this fall was the night of the camp-out for the Izzone. You and your teammates went out and spent a bit of time outside that night, were you able to survive the cold?

"Oh yeah, but that was really cold. I don't think it ever got that cold in Florida last year during the winter. That had to be the coldest I have ever been in my life."

Being from another country, what was your biggest adjustment when you came over to the U.S.?

"There wasn't anything really big. Most of the stuff over here is similar to over there. I think the hardest thing was probably getting used to going to school and playing sports at the same time. Especially incorporating that with academics was new for me."

Although he's only played basketball for a few years, Idong Ibok is ready to contribute to a talented Spartan squad.

For someone who has never seen you play, who would you compare your style of play to?

"That's a hard question. I would say right now where I am would be like Theo Ratliff or well, I'm not at Ben Wallace's level yet. (laughs). If I could play like anyone, I would love to be a combination of Shaq and Tim Duncan."

With the basketball season yet to start, you've had time to focus on school. What has been your favorite class so far?

"My favorite class would be CSE 101. I love messing with the computer and learning about stuff that has to do with that."

Is there a specific motto that you try to live life by?

"I just try to live every day so that at the end of the day I can say that I don't have any regrets. I don't want to be able to say there was something I didn't do. I just try to put as much effort into everyday as if it were the last one."

Who is the person that you most admire in your life?

"I would say my mom. I really admire her strength as a woman and what she's been able to go through in life raising five kids on her own. That's really inspirational to me."

If you could have any career other than that of a professional basketball player, what would it be?

"I would either work in making animated movies or find some career in advertising. Those sound like fun jobs to have."

Written by Kelly Thesier, MSU Sports Information