Serge Ibaka has responded to rumors about his age that have followed him for many years.

"I am proud of where I come from and of my heritage," wrote Ibaka. "I am also very proud of the hard work I put (in) to arrive where I am right now as a basketball player.

"I am very disappointed with the small part of society that spreads rumors and creates news based on stereotypes and without any proof. I'm sad that to this day there are still prejudices based on your origin and, as Africans, sometimes we need to take a stand.

"I was born in in the capital of the Republic of Congo, Brazzaville. A city with a population bigger than 1 million. A city with hospitals, a civil registry and an administration. I was born in a caring, loving and united family. I was not born in the jungle.

"I know we live in a fast news world, where rumors and scoops rule, but I think media should take their responsibility seriously when talking about important matters than can hurt people. I know who I am and where I come from, and so do the people that really know me.

"I'm sad that many people will have read a rumor and will have made a false assumption that can last forever, while they maybe will not read what I'm writing now. What's sure is that, no matter what, nobody can take away from me the pride for my origins and the love that I have for basketball.