Transfer history, career moves and every Basketball Sphere story, updated automatically.
- Position
- Forward
- Team
Panathinaikos- Nationality
- Germany
- Born
- 8 Nov 1999
Isaac Bonga is the Panathinaikos forward who turned himself from an NBA end-of-bench wing into one of the best defenders in European basketball. Skyliners Frankfurt sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, and four NBA seasons across Los Angeles, Washington and Toronto followed without him ever settling into a rotation.
Europe is where the career took shape. Two seasons at Bayern Munich brought a German championship and two cups, and the move to Partizan in 2024 brought an ABA League and Serbian title, plus back-to-back ABA Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2025 and 2026. Last season he averaged 10.0 points and 5.6 rebounds across 38 EuroLeague games. At 2.03 meters he defends across four positions, which is what European coaches pay for.
He left Belgrade in July 2026 through a €700,000 buyout and signed with Panathinaikos for three years, following Zeljko Obradovic from Partizan to Athens. Reports at the time had him choosing Greece over an NBA return that did not offer the contract he wanted.
FAQ About Isaac Bonga
Why did Isaac Bonga leave Partizan for Panathinaikos?
He followed his coach. Zeljko Obradovic left Partizan for Panathinaikos ahead of the 2026-27 season, and Bonga joined him in Athens in July 2026 on a three-year deal, with Partizan releasing him after a €700,000 buyout.
Did Isaac Bonga play in the NBA?
Yes, four seasons. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 after two years with Skyliners Frankfurt, then played for the Washington Wizards and the Toronto Raptors before returning to Europe with Bayern Munich in 2022.
What has Isaac Bonga won?
A German championship and two German Cups with Bayern Munich, and the ABA League and Serbian League titles with Partizan in 2025. He was also named ABA League Defensive Player of the Year in both 2025 and 2026.
Transfer history
Latest news
- EuroLeague 2026/27 Preview: Panathinaikos – Title or bust
- Isaac Bonga opens up on Partizan’s difficult season and playing for Zeljko Obradovic
- New era officially begins: Obradovic and Panathinaikos kick off preseason
- Panathinaikos officially sign Sylvain Francisco on three-year deal after Asvel exit
- Did Panathinaikos just assemble the greatest roster in EuroLeague history?
- Isaac Bonga: Zeljko Obradovic won’t just lead you to victories, he’ll lead you to championships
- Isaac Bonga joins Panathinaikos and reunites with Zeljko Obradovic
- Partizan officially part ways with Shake Milton after one season
- Panathinaikos salaries 2026/27: Full roster payroll
- Isaac Bonga sends emotional farewell message to Partizan after two seasons in Belgrade
- EuroLeague Daily Brief (Jul. 7, 2026): Shorts joins Valencia, Bolomboy nears exit, Bonga reveals EuroLeague ambition
- Isaac Bonga explains why he chose Panathinaikos: I want to win the EuroLeague
