Report: Thunder's Ibaka not cleared to play in NBA Africa exhibition game

Oklahoma City Thunder big man Serge Ibaka was expected to be a main draw at the NBA's first-ever exhibition game in Africa in August as one of the league's premier players born in an African country.

However, Ibaka hasn't been medically cleared to partake in on-court activities at the Johannesburg event, reports Yahoo Sports' Marc Spears.

Ibaka was ruled out for the remainder of the 2014-15 season in April after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in March. At the time of his surgery, his recovery period was expected to last four-to-six weeks.

Although the 6-foot-10 power forward won't be able to play in the game, he will attend the event in support of the other NBA players who will participate in the match.

Related: Marcus Smart to miss exhibition in Africa due to dislocated fingers

The Thunder, decimated by injuries to several of their key cogs, failed to make the playoffs last season for the first time since the 2008-09 campaign.

For his part, Ibaka has proven himself a durable player, only missing 30 games in six seasons.

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the 25-year-old - whose full name is Serge Jonas Ibaka Ngobila - was selected by the Thunder with the No. 24 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.