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Domantas Sabonis (Lithuanian pronunciation: [ˈdoːmɐntɐs sɐˈboːnʲɪs]; born May 3, 1996) is a Lithuanian–American[1][2] professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Lithuanian national team.[3] Son of the Hall of Fame player Arvydas Sabonis, Sabonis is a two-time All-NBA Team member, three-time NBA All-Star, and has led the league in rebounds thrice.[3]

Key Information

Sabonis started his career in Spain with Unicaja Málaga. He then moved to the United States and played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. After being drafted 11th overall in the 2016 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic, Sabonis was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on draft night, spending his rookie season with the team before being traded to the Indiana Pacers in 2017. He played five seasons for the Pacers and was named an All-Star twice during his tenure. In 2022, Sabonis was traded to the Sacramento Kings for rising star Tyrese Haliburton, in a move considered shocking to many.[4] Named to his first All-NBA team and third All-Star selection in 2023, he led the Kings alongside De'Aaron Fox to the third seed in the 2023 NBA playoffs and helped them break their NBA record 16-season playoff drought.[5]

Early life

[edit]

Domantas was born on May 3, 1996, in Portland, Oregon, when his father, Arvydas Sabonis, was playing for the Portland Trail Blazers.[6][7][3] His mother is Ingrida Mikelionytė, the first Miss Lithuania in 1988.[8] He has two older brothers, Žygis (born 1991) and Tautvydas (born 1992), and a younger sister, Aušrinė (born 1997).[9] When Arvydas was once asked if any of his sons will follow his footsteps in basketball, he singled out Domantas due to his stubbornness, and because he is left-handed.[9]

In 2004, Domantas' father retired from basketball, and the whole family moved from Portland to Málaga, Spain.

I like a lot of things about his game. He is extremely aggressive, plays with a motor, is always going hard. Really high level rebounder, great passer, physical player, and runs and moves exceptionally well for a big guy.

—Mark Few, Gonzaga head coach.[10]
College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Domantas Sabonis
PF 		Kaunas, Lithuania Sunny View School / Unicaja Málaga 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Apr 17, 2014 
Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 5/5 stars   ESPN:    (NR)
Overall recruit ranking:   Scout: NR    Rivals: NR    247Sports: #26    ESPN: NR
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2014 Gonzaga Rivals Commits". Rivals. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  • "2014 Gonzaga Scout Commits". Scout. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  • "2014 Gonzaga ESPN Commits". ESPN. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  • "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  • "2014 Gonzaga 24/7 Sports Commits". 247Sports. Retrieved April 23, 2016.

College career

[edit]

Freshman season (2014–2015)

[edit]

Sabonis declined a Unicaja offer of a three-year $630,000 contract in order to play in the NCAA.[11] He committed to NCAA Division I squad Gonzaga University prior to the 2014–15 season.[12][13] On November 14, 2014, Sabonis solidly debuted by scoring 14 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing 2 assists, along with one steal and one block in 20 minutes.[14] On February 3, 2015, after averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds per 26 minutes he was named West Coast Conference Player of the Week.[15] After a stellar regular season with Gonzaga, Sabonis was named to the All-WCC Second team, as well as to the WCC All-Freshman team.[16] On March 10, the Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the BYU Cougars 91–75 and won the WCC Tournament Title for the third straight time.[17][18] Sabonis was one of the best players in the game with 15 points and 6 rebounds.[19][20] During March Madness, Sabonis led Gonzaga to the Sweet 16 with 18 points and 9 rebounds.[21] Gonzaga beat UCLA to make it to the Elite Eight, Gonzaga's first regional final with Mark Few as head coach and second overall. Sabonis scored 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds during that game.[22] The season ended with a loss to the future champions Duke and Sabonis was named to the NCAA Tournament South Regional All-Tournament team.[23] In his first NCAA season, Sabonis averaged 9.7 points, along with Gonzaga team highs of 66.8% field-goal percentage and 7.1 rebounds.[24]

On April 4, Few told ESPN that Sabonis planned to return for his sophomore season at Gonzaga, adding that Sabonis never seriously considered declaring for the 2015 NBA draft.[25]

Sophomore season (2015–2016)

[edit]

On August 13, 2015, ESPN placed Sabonis 20th in its NCAA players rankings heading for the 2015–16 season, describing him as "one of the nation's best, and edgiest, rebounders".[26]

No one plays harder than Gonzaga's Domantas Sabonis. The sophomore forward is a walking double-double, which could earn him third-team All-American honors.

—Jeff Goodman, ESPN.[27]

Sabonis began his second NCAA season with an outstanding career-high performance of 26 points (FG: 12/13, FT: 2/2); he also added 7 rebounds in a 91–52 win over Northern Arizona.[28] On December 19, Sabonis set a new career high in points and rebounds, scoring 36 points (FG: 12/16, FT: 12/15) and grabbing 16 rebounds; his team won 86–79.[29] The Zags' head coach Mark Few said that he never had seen a monster line like that for a Zag.[30] Two days later, Sabonis improved on another career high by dishing out 6 assists; he also scored 23 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and led Gonzaga past the Pepperdine Waves 99–73.[31] On January 2, 2016, he was just one point shy of his scoring record with 35 points; he also added 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks in a thrilling come-from-behind victory in OT versus the San Francisco Dons 102–94.[32] On January 9, Sabonis once again improved his rebounds record by grabbing 17 rebounds, and adding 28 points, 3 steals, 3 blocks and 4 assists, his team won 85–74. After the game, the Bulldogs head coach Mark Few said: "Sabonis, none of us can take for granted the type of year he is having... Such consistency, it's amazing".[33] On January 21, nearly posted a triple-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and a career-high 7 assists.[34] Two days later, Sabonis grabbed a new career high of 20 rebounds, as well as 12 points and 2 assists.[35] He was named to the 35-man midseason watchlist for the Naismith Trophy on February 11.[36] On March 1, he was included into the First-team All-WCC.[37] Two days later, Sabonis received CoSIDA Academic All-American honors.[38]

On March 17, Sabonis began his second March Madness appearance by leading his team past the Seton Hall Pirates 68–52 to the Round of 32, scoring 21 points, grabbing 16 rebounds and making 4 assists, despite having a flu.[39][40][41] On March 19, he helped his team to advance into the Sweet 16 stage with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, crushing the third-seeded Utah Utes 82–59.[42] Moreover, he limited his direct opponent and one of the top prospects Jakob Pöltl to just 5 points and 4 rebounds.[43] Following it, Sabonis was the most efficient post-up player left in the NCAA tournament.[44] Despite his yet another monster performance of 19 points, 17 rebounds (7 offensive) and 5 blocks on March 25, his journey was stopped by the Syracuse Orange during the final match moments, losing 60–63.[45] In his second NCAA season Sabonis almost doubled his every single statistical line comparing with the previous season.[46] During the March Madness, his averages were 19.6 points, 14.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 3.3 blocks.[47] On March 29, Sabonis was named to the CBS College Basketball All-America Third-team, along with Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, Jamal Murray and Yogi Ferrell.[48] Sabonis also was one of the finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award.[49]

In early April 2016, several U.S. media reports indicated that Sabonis would declare himself eligible for the 2016 NBA draft and would hire an agent, marking the end of his career at Gonzaga.[50] On April 20, he signed with Jason Ranne and Greg Lawrence of Wasserman Media Group for representation in the NBA draft.[51] Prior to the draft, Sabonis rejected the offer to participate in NBA Draft Combine.[52] Instead, he participated in four pre-draft workouts with the Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz.[53]

Professional career

[edit]

Unicaja (2012–2014)

[edit]

Despite being only a 16-year-old, on September 5, 2012, Sabonis debuted for Unicaja Málaga against Cibona Zagreb.[54] He was later loaned to Clínicas Rincón for the 2012–13 season. He returned to Málaga for the 2013–14 season and debuted in the Liga ACB on October 13, 2013,[55] becoming the youngest Unicaja player to debut in the ACB (17 years, 5 months and 10 days).[56] On October 18, Sabonis debuted in the EuroLeague against Olympiacos Piraeus. In February 2014, he finished in the top 10 for the 2013 FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year Award voting.[57] His best ACB game came on May 3, when he scored 13 points on 100% shooting.[58] On May 10, Sabonis helped Unicaja's junior team win the Spain Youth Basketball League silver medal. In the final game, he recorded 14 points and eight rebounds.[59] In January 2015, he finished in the top 5 for the 2014 FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year Award voting.[60] During his time with Unicaja, he never signed a professional contract with salary in order to remain eligible for the NCAA.[61]

Oklahoma City Thunder (2016–2017)

[edit]

2016–2017 season

[edit]
Sabonis with the Thunder in February 2017

Sabonis was selected 11th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2016 NBA draft.[62] He was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder along with Ersan İlyasova and Victor Oladipo for Serge Ibaka on draft night.[63][64] He did not participate in the 2016 NBA Summer League in order to join the Lithuania men's national basketball team training camp.[65] On August 12, 2016, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Thunder.[66] He made his debut for the Thunder in their season opener as their starting power forward on October 26, recording five points and four rebounds in 16 minutes, in a 103–97 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.[67] He became the first Thunder player to debut as a starting five member since Kevin Durant.[68] On November 7, he recorded season highs of 15 points and 10 rebounds in a 97–85 win over the Miami Heat.[69] On December 23, he set a new season high with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting in a 117–112 win over the Boston Celtics.[70] On January 25, 2017, he was named in the World Team for the 2017 Rising Stars Challenge.[71][72] Six days later, he matched his season high with 13 rebounds and had 13 points in a 108–94 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.[73] On February 18, he scored 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting in only 12 minutes to help Team World defeat Team USA 150–141 in the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend.[74] Sabonis transitioned to a bench role in early March, following the acquisition of Taj Gibson at the trade deadline.[75] In his debut season, he was a member of the starting five in 66 of 81 games.[76] The Thunder qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the sixth seed, but they were eliminated 4–1 by the Houston Rockets in the first round; Sabonis played just six minutes in the series, as he managed court time in just two of the five games.[77] Upon concluding his rookie season, Sabonis indicated that he would participate in the 2017 NBA Summer League in preparation for EuroBasket 2017.[78]

Indiana Pacers (2017–2022)

[edit]

Players respect me now, players depend on me", "My teammates, when the game is tough they tell me, 'C'mon Domas, we need you,' and I like that, I like taking that responsibility.

—Domantas Sabonis, about his third season in the NBA.[79]

2017–18 season

[edit]

On July 6, 2017, Sabonis was traded, along with Victor Oladipo, to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Paul George.[80] Due to the unexpected trade, he not only missed the 2017 NBA Summer League, but was also ruled out from representing the Lithuanian national team during EuroBasket 2017.[81] In his debut for the Pacers in their season opener on October 18, Sabonis had 16 points and seven rebounds in a 140–131 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[82] On October 29, he had 22 points and 12 rebounds, while going 9-of-9 from the field in a 97–94 win over the San Antonio Spurs.[83] Two days later, he recorded a then career-high 16 rebounds, in addition to 12 points and five assists, in a 101–83 win over the Sacramento Kings.[84] On November 2, he recorded a then career-high six assists in addition to 15 points and 12 rebounds in a 124–107 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.[85] On December 18, he had a career-high three blocked shots to go with 17 points and eight rebounds in a 109–97 win over the Nets.[86] On January 3, 2018, he had a then career-high 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting in a 122–101 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.[87] While participating in the 2018 NBA Rising Stars Challenge, Sabonis recorded 13 points, 11 rebounds and three assists to help Team World defeat Team USA 155–124.[88] On April 8, he scored a then career-high 30 points in a 123–117 win over the Charlotte Hornets.[89] In Game 5 of the Pacers' first-round playoff series against the Cavaliers, Sabonis scored a then-playoff career-high 22 points in a 98–95 loss.[90]

Sabonis with the Pacers at the free-throw line in December 2018

2018–19 season

[edit]
Sabonis with the Pacers in October 2019

On September 26, 2018, the Pacers picked up the team option on Sabonis' contract.[91] On October 31, he was 12-for-12 shooting while matching his then career-high with 30 points in a 107–101 win over the New York Knicks.[92] On November 19, he had 19 points, nine rebounds and a then career-high nine assists in a 121–94 win over the Utah Jazz.[93] In December 2018, he was chosen as the Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year by the Lithuanian Basketball Federation.[94] On March 19, 2019, he tied a then career-high 16 rebounds in a 115–109 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.[95]

2019–20 season

[edit]

On October 21, 2019, one day before start of the 2019–20 season, Sabonis signed a four-year, $77 million contract extension with the Pacers.[96][97] On November 1, Sabonis recorded a then career-high 17 rebounds in a 102–95 win versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.[98] On November 18, Sabonis recorded a then career-high 18 rebounds, and helping his team to get a 115–86 victory versus the Brooklyn Nets.[99] In December 2019, he was chosen as the Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year for a second consecutive year.[100] On December 15, 2019, Sabonis got his 12th consecutive double-double and improved previous Pacers record for the most consecutive double-doubles, which was held by Troy Murphy since 2009.[101] On January 21, 2020, Sabonis became the first Lithuanian in the NBA history to record a triple-double with 22 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists as the Pacers won 115–107 over the Denver Nuggets.[102] On January 26, he recorded his second triple-double with 27 points, 14 rebounds and a then career-high 11 assists.[103] On January 30, Sabonis was chosen to the 2020 NBA All-Star Game after averaging 18 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and became only the second Lithuanian to be chosen as an NBA All-Star, the other being Žydrūnas Ilgauskas.[104][105] Sabonis also participated in the NBA All-Star Weekend Skills Challenge in 2020 and was just 1 shot away from the trophy, after being defeated only in the final by Bam Adebayo.[106][107] During his first NBA All-Star Game appearance, Sabonis scored 2 points, grabbed 6 rebounds per 19 minutes and helped Team LeBron to win 157–155.[108]

Sabonis participated in the NBA 2K Players Tournament during the coronavirus pandemic, playing against Montrezl Harrell, a center for the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA 2K20 basketball game as their respective basketball teams.[109] The Pacers finished as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 45–28 record after seeding games in the Orlando "bubble". Sabonis did not participate after leaving the team in July to treat plantar fasciitis in his left foot (after trying to play through the injury).[110] Sabonis focused on rehab[111] and was not added to the Pacers' active playoff roster during their 4–0 first round series loss against the Heat. Having not played a game since the NBA shutdown in March, he finished with averages of 18.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. In November 2020, he was chosen as the Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year for a third consecutive year.[112]

2020–21 season

[edit]

On December 23, 2020, Sabonis started the 2020–21 season with a new career-high of 32 points, along with 13 rebounds, five assists, and one steal, and led his team to a 121–107 victory versus the New York Knicks.[113] On December 27, 2020, Sabonis put up 19 points and 10 rebounds, alongside a game-winning layup, in a 108–107 win over the Boston Celtics.[114] On January 9, 2021, Sabonis achieved his new rebounding record by having a double-double of 28 points, 22 rebounds, and 4 assists (this way he became the first player of the Pacers to have a double-double of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in 3 quarters), but his team lost 125–117 to the Phoenix Suns.[115] On January 22, 2021, Sabonis set his career's new record of steals by having five of them, along with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, his team won 120–118 in OT versus the Orlando Magic after he made a last shot to tie the game in the fourth quarter.[116] On February 3, 2021, Sabonis improved his scoring record by having 33 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in just 3 quarters, however his team lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 110–130.[117] On February 17, 2021, Sabonis once again improved his scoring record by having a triple-double of 36 points, 17 rebounds, and ten assists, leading his team to a 134–128 victory versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the first player of the Pacers to have at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a single NBA game.[118]

On February 26, he was named an All-Star, as an injury replacement to Kevin Durant.[119] At the 2021 All-Star Game, Sabonis beat Nikola Vučević to win the Skills Challenge.[120] On March 17, Sabonis logged his sixth triple-double of the season with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 124–115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, setting a new franchise record for the most number of triple-doubles in a season.[121][122] After missing six games due to a back injury, Sabonis returned to action on May 1. He logged a triple-double at the first half and finished the game with 26 points, 19 rebounds and 14 assists across 30 minutes in a 152–95 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, becoming the third player in league history to log a triple-double by halftime while also making history as the only player to record a 20-point triple-double at the break. In his efforts, Sabonis helped the Pacers record the biggest road win in league history and the second-biggest win in franchise history.[123][124][125] On May 11, Sabonis logged his ninth triple-double of the season with 16 points, 13 rebounds and a then career-high 15 assists in a 103–94 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.[126][127][128]

2021–22 season

[edit]

On January 5, 2022, Sabonis logged his fifteenth career triple-double with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a 129–121 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.[129][130] Four days later, Sabonis scored a career-high 42 points on 18-of-22 shooting, propelling Indiana to a 125–113 win over the Utah Jazz.[131] Moreover, it was the highest NBA scoring performance by a Lithuanian, surpassing the previous record held by Linas Kleiza since 2008.[132]

Sacramento Kings (2022–present)

[edit]

2021–22 season

[edit]

On February 8, 2022, with the Pacers looking to rebuild, Sabonis was traded along with Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb and a 2023 second-round pick to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson.[133] The next day, Sabonis debuted for the Kings in a 132–119 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, logging 22 points in addition to 14 rebounds and five assists across 32 minutes of play.[134][135][136] On February 10, 2022, Sabonis was selected as the Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year for a fourth time.[137] On March 9, he was suspended for one game without pay for making contact with a game official.[138]

2022–23 season

[edit]

The triple-double he [Sabonis] had, the way he got it, I think Oscar Robertson was the only one who had a triple-double like that. To me, that's absolutely amazing. And it's not the one-off because it's not his first triple-double.

—Mike Brown, coach of the Sacramento Kings, about a historical triple-double of Sabonis.[139]

On December 21, Sabonis recorded his 20th career triple-double with 13 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists in a 134–120 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[140] The next game, Sabonis had his second consecutive triple-double with 20 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a 125–111 loss against the Washington Wizards.[141] On December 28, Sabonis scored a then season-high 31 points, along with 10 rebounds and five assists in a 127–126 win over the Denver Nuggets.[142] The next game, Sabonis had 28 points on 12-for-12 shooting along with 11 rebounds and eight assists in a 126–125 win over the Utah Jazz.[143]

On January 13, 2023, Sabonis recorded 19 points, 15 rebounds, and a career-high 16 assists in a 139–114 win over the Houston Rockets. Sabonis became the first player in Kings history to record at least 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in a game since Oscar Robertson in 1965.[144] On February 1, Sabonis scored a season-high 34 points on 15-of-20 shooting from the field, along with 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks in a 119–109 win over the San Antonio Spurs.[145]

On February 2, 2023, Sabonis was named to his third NBA All-Star team as a reserve for the Western Conference.[146] He, along with De'Aaron Fox, became the first Kings players to be named All-Stars since DeMarcus Cousins in 2016.[147] On February 23, first game after the All-Star Weekend, Sabonis logged a triple-double with 18 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in a 133–116 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.[148] On March 13, Sabonis had 23 points, 17 rebounds and 15 assists for his 10th triple-double of the season in a 133–124 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks. He also tied Michael Jordan for 19th place in career triple-doubles with 28.[149] On April 9, Sabonis ended the regular season as the league leader in rebounds, averaging 12.3 rebounds per game.[150] He also achieved career-highs in field goal percentage (.615 FG%) and assists per game (7.3). On May 10, 2023, Sabonis was named to his first All-NBA team, making the third team with Kings teammate De'Aaron Fox.[151] This is the first Sacramento-era season where multiple Kings players made the All-NBA team.[152] On April 17, he scored a playoff career-high 24 points in the Kings' 114–106 victory against the Golden State Warriors. At one point during the game, he grabbed Draymond Green's leg and was stomped on the chest by Green afterwards. As a result, Sabonis was assessed with a technical foul.[153] The Kings were eliminated in seven games.

On July 2, 2023, Sabonis and the Kings terminated the remaining one-season contract worth $19.4 million and signed a five-year contract extension worth $217 million.[154] This is the most profitable contract in Lithuania's sport history.[155]

2023–24 season

[edit]

On December 18, Sabonis logged the 35th triple-double of his career with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a 143–131 win over the Washington Wizards.[156] On January 3, 2024, Sabonis recorded a triple-double with 22 points, a then season-high 23 rebounds and 12 assists in a 138–135 double overtime win over the Orlando Magic.[157] On January 29, 2024, Sabonis scored 20 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the field, grabbed a career-high 26 rebounds and delivered 5 assists in a 103–94 win against the Memphis Grizzlies. He became the second player in NBA history with at least 20 points, 25 rebounds, five assists and a shooting percentage of 90% or better. The other was Wilt Chamberlain, who did it six times.[158]

On February 13, Sabonis posted his 50th career triple-double with 35 points, 18 rebounds, 12 assists and 3 blocks in a 130–125 loss against the Phoenix Suns.[159] On March 12, Sabonis recorded his 47th consecutive double-double with 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in a 129–94 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He surpassed Jerry Lucas' previous record of 46 to become the Sacramento Kings franchise leader in consecutive double-doubles in a season.[160] On March 25, Sabonis had 11 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to become the fifth player in NBA history with at least 25 triple-doubles in a season, joining Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook, Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson. He also posted his 54th consecutive double-double, breaking a tie with Kevin Love for the longest streak since the 1976–77 merger between the NBA and ABA.[161][162] On April 9, this streak would end as Sabonis had 8 points and 13 rebounds in a 112-105 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, peaking at 61 consecutive double-doubles.[163]

2024–25 season

[edit]

On June 14, 2024, the Sacramento Kings announced that Sabonis would switch to No. 11 jersey to honor his father, Arvydas Sabonis, who wore the same number during his time with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Sacramento Kings had previously retired No. 11 to honor Bob Davies. However, Davies' children gave their blessing for Sabonis to use the retired number.[164] On October 26, Sabonis posted his 59th career triple-double with 29 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists in 131–127 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. He tied Larry Bird for the 10th-most triple-doubles in NBA history.[165][166] On November 6, Sabonis posted a triple-double with 17 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds in a 122–107 win over the Toronto Raptors. He became the first player in NBA history to post a triple-double without a missed field goal, a turnover, and a foul.[167] On December 12, Sabonis recorded a season-high 32 points and 20 rebounds on 11-of-15 shooting from the field and 9-of-9 from the free throw line in a 111–109 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.[168]

On January 7, 2025, Sabonis was selected as the Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year for a fifth time.[169] On January 10, 2025, Sabonis logged 23 points and a career-high 28 rebounds in a 114–97 win over the Boston Celtics.[170] On February 13, Sabonis tied his career-high with 28 rebounds, along with 22 points and five assists in a 140–133 overtime loss against the New Orleans Pelicans.[171] On April 11, Sabonis had 19 points, 16 rebounds and five assists in 101–100 loss against the Los Angeles Clippers. He became the sixth player since the ABA/NBA merger to have 60 or more double-doubles for three consecutive seasons, joining Moses Malone, John Stockton, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard.[172]

2025–26 season

[edit]

After missing the season opening game on October 22, 2025 versus the Suns due to an injury, Sabonis returned to the Kings lineup in the next game on October 24, 2025 when he scored 12 points, grabbed game-high 12 rebounds and made a put-back with 6.4 seconds left which assured the Kings 105–104 victory over Jazz.[173]

National team career

[edit]

Junior national team

[edit]
Sabonis with the Lithuanian national team during the 2016 Olympics

I can say that another basketball star is growing. His father was uncommon and such human is one per 100 years. I was thinking that if Domantas will not interfere the national team it will be good, but when he actually helps I appreciate it very nicely.

—Jonas Kazlauskas, describing Arvydas Sabonis's son Domantas in 2015.[174]

Sabonis made his international debut with the Lithuania U-16 national team at the 2012 FIBA U-16 European Championship, averaging 14.1 points, 14.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He grabbed a tournament-high 27 rebounds against Poland on July 27. In 2013, at 17 years of age, Sabonis played for the Lithuania U-18 team in 2013 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. He averaged 14 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game[175] and was tournament leader in rebounds per game.[176] While playing against Serbia, he scored 22 points, grabbed 22 rebounds and dished out 3 assists. Lithuania won the game 74–70 in OT.[177] In 2014, coach Jonas Kazlauskas included Sabonis on the preliminary list for the Lithuania men's national basketball team.[178] In 2014, D.Sabonis played in the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship for the second time. This time he averaged 15.9 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.[179][180] On July 9, 2015, he was invited to join the Lithuania men's national team training camp for the first time.[181] On July 15, by participating in 2015 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, Sabonis achieved the tournament rebounds record by grabbing 28 against Ukraine.[182] He led the tournament at 13.2 rebounds per game.[183]

Senior national team

[edit]

On July 29, 2015, Sabonis debuted for the Lithuania men's national team in a game against Australia, scoring 4 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.[184] Sabonis was the youngest player ever to play for the national team, beating Jonas Valančiūnas by a matter of days.[185] Sabonis averaged 6 points and 5.9 rebounds during the preparation games phase, and was the team's second best rebounder after Valančiūnas.[186] Sabonis played for Lithuania at EuroBasket 2015, winning a silver medal in his debut year.[187] He also was a member of the Lithuanian Olympic national team during the 2016 Summer Olympics, where he averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.[188]

Personal life

[edit]

Sabonis married Shashana Rosen on August 15, 2021, in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France; the wedding was officiated by a rabbi.[189] They have three children: a son named Tiger, born on March 11, 2022, a daughter named Eleven Rose, born July 11, 2023, and a son named Tauras Levi, born in June, 2025.[190] The family keeps Shabbat and eats only kosher food.[189] In April 2023, his wife announced that Sabonis was in the process of converting to Judaism.[189] Sabonis and his wife launched a wine brand in November 2024, dubbed Ones by Sabonis.[191]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 *  Led the league

NBA

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 Oklahoma City 81 66 20.1 .399 .321 .657 3.6 1.0 .5 .4 5.9
2017–18 Indiana 74 19 24.5 .514 .351 .750 7.7 2.0 .5 .4 11.6
2018–19 Indiana 74 5 24.8 .590 .529 .715 9.3 2.9 .6 .4 14.1
2019–20 Indiana 62 62 34.8 .540 .254 .723 12.4 5.0 .8 .5 18.5
2020–21 Indiana 62 62 36.0 .535 .321 .732 12.0 6.7 1.2 .5 20.3
2021–22 Indiana 47 46 34.7 .580 .324 .740 12.1 5.0 1.0 .5 18.9
Sacramento 15 15 33.6 .554 .235 .743 12.3 5.8 .9 .3 18.9
2022–23 Sacramento 79 79 34.6 .615 .373 .742 12.3* 7.3 .8 .5 19.1
2023–24 Sacramento 82 82* 35.7 .594 .379 .704 13.7* 8.2 .9 .6 19.4
2024–25 Sacramento 70 70 34.7 .590 .417 .754 13.9* 6.0 .7 .4 19.1
Career 646 506 30.8 .560 .347 .729 10.7 4.9 .8 .5 16.1
All-Star 3 0 16.2 .571 — .500 3.7 .7 .0 .0 3.3

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017 Oklahoma City 2 0 3.0 .000 .000 1.000 1.0 .0 .5 .5 2.0
2018 Indiana 7 0 23.7 .581 .143 .778 4.6 .7 .1 .3 12.4
2019 Indiana 4 0 24.0 .414 .250 .643 7.3 4.0 .8 .3 8.5
2023 Sacramento 7 7 34.7 .495 .200 .571 11.0 4.7 1.4 .9 16.4
Career 20 7 25.6 .503 .176 .672 7.0 2.7 .8 .5 12.0

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 Gonzaga 38 1 21.6 .668 — .664 7.1 .9 .4 .3 9.7
2015–16 Gonzaga 36 31 31.9 .611 .357 .769 11.8 1.8 .6 .9 17.6
Career 74 32 26.6 .632 .357 .729 9.4 1.3 .5 .6 13.5

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2024 Starting 5 Himself Documentary series

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Domantas Sabonis

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from Grokipedia
Domantas Sabonis is a Lithuanian professional player who serves as a center and for the of the (NBA). Born on May 3, 1996, in , to Basketball Hall of Famer and former Ingrida Sabonis, he holds dual Lithuanian-American citizenship and has represented internationally, including at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Sabonis began his professional career in Spain with after his family relocated there in 2003 following Arvydas Sabonis's retirement from professional basketball. He later starred at from 2014 to 2016, earning All-American honors and averaging 13.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, and a 63.2% over two seasons. Selected 11th overall in the by the (with rights traded to the ), Sabonis debuted in the NBA during the 2016-17 season, appearing in 41 games as a . Over his NBA career spanning ten seasons through the ongoing 2025–26 season, Sabonis has played for the Thunder (2016-17), (2017–22), and Kings (2022–present), accumulating career averages of 16.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game across 700 regular-season appearances. He achieved a franchise-record 61 consecutive double-doubles with the Kings from November 2023 to 2024 and became the second player in NBA to average at least 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists in a season (2023-24). Sabonis has earned three NBA selections (2020, 2021, 2023), two All-NBA Third Team honors (2023, 2024), and led the league in rebounds per game three times (2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25). As of November 2025, in the 2025–26 season, Sabonis anchors ' frontcourt, averaging 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds (4th in the NBA), and 3.7 assists through 11 games, showcasing his versatility as a rebounder, passer, and efficient scorer with a career 57.3% . His 68 career triple-doubles rank among the league's elite, underscoring his all-around impact on both ends of the court.

Early life and background

Family heritage

Domantas Sabonis was born on May 3, 1996, in , to , a Lithuanian basketball legend inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, and Ingrida Sabonienė (née Mikelionytė), a former who was crowned in 1988. The Sabonis family, rooted in where Arvydas rose to prominence as a dominant center for the Soviet and later national teams—earning three Olympic medals and multiple FIBA European Player of the Year honors—spent Domantas's early years in the United States due to Arvydas's NBA career with the from 1995 to 2001 and the from 2001 to 2003. Following Arvydas's retirement from the NBA in 2003, the family relocated to Málaga, , where Arvydas had previously played professionally and where the coastal environment provided a new chapter for the household, immersing young Domantas in European culture from an early age. Domantas grew up alongside three siblings, all influenced by their father's storied career: older brothers Žygimantas (born 1991) and Tautvydas (born 1992), both of whom pursued professional in , and younger sister Aušrinė (born 1997). This familial legacy, centered on Arvydas's pivotal role in elevating Lithuanian on the global stage during the post-Soviet era, shaped Domantas's foundational exposure to the sport, fostering a deep connection to his heritage despite the family's international relocations.

Childhood and education

Domantas Sabonis was born on May 3, 1996, in , during his Arvydas Sabonis's tenure with the . He spent his first seven years in the United States, primarily in Portland, frequently visiting the team's practice facility and developing an early affinity for amid his family's athletic environment. This initial exposure to American culture laid the foundation for his later dual Lithuanian-American citizenship. In 2003, at age seven, the family relocated to Málaga, , following Arvydas's retirement from the NBA. There, Sabonis began his formal education in local schools and immersed himself in a multicultural environment that blended his Lithuanian heritage with Spanish influences. This period in Málaga strengthened his ties to European culture while maintaining a deep connection to his Lithuanian roots through family traditions and visits to his homeland.

Youth and early professional career

High school career

After his family relocated to Spain in 2003 following Arvydas Sabonis's retirement from the NBA, Domantas developed his skills in local youth programs. Opting against the conventional U.S. high school route common for international prospects, Sabonis pursued a European development pathway. Early evaluations highlighted his sophisticated post footwork, high basketball IQ, and dominance on the , positioning him as a high-upside big man, though evaluators flagged recurring Achilles issues and limited explosiveness as potential hurdles.

Unicaja Málaga (2012–2014)

At the age of 15, Domantas Sabonis joined the youth system of Unicaja Málaga in 2011, progressing through the club's junior categories before making his professional debut with the reserve team, Clínicas Rincón, in the LEB Oro league during the 2012–13 season, where he averaged 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds over 35 games. He also saw limited action with the main squad that year, appearing in a handful of ACB League games while alternating between the reserve and senior teams; he debuted for the senior team on September 5, 2012, against . In the 2013–14 season, following the arrival of coach , Sabonis earned a more prominent role with the first team, debuting in the ACB League on October 13, 2013, against at the age of 17 years, 5 months, and 10 days, making him the youngest player to ever debut for in the competition. He appeared in 35 ACB games, averaging 2.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, while also logging time in 19 contests with averages of 1.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per game (debuting in the on October 18, 2013, against Olympiacos ). His contributions helped reach the ACB playoffs and Top 16, and Plaza praised his potential, noting his growth as a versatile big man capable of impacting both ends of the floor. Sabonis's time at emphasized his development as a skilled passer and defensive contributor, with Plaza integrating him into the rotation to build experience against professional competition; despite a setback from injury during the 2014 that limited his postseason participation, his performances earned recognition as one of Europe's top young talents, highlighted by his role in 's junior team winning the Spanish Youth Championship on May 10, 2014.

College career

2014–15 season

Domantas Sabonis committed to Gonzaga University in April 2014, signing a national letter of intent to join the Bulldogs for the 2014–15 season after two years playing professionally in Spain with Unicaja Málaga. As a freshman, Sabonis appeared in all 38 games for Gonzaga, making one start while averaging 21.6 minutes per game off the bench. He contributed 9.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game, leading the team in rebounding and ranking fifth in the West Coast Conference (WCC) in that category, while shooting an efficient 66.8% from the field. His European professional experience aided his post play and quick adaptation to the American college game, where he provided versatile frontcourt depth despite limited early-season minutes. Sabonis earned All-WCC Second Team honors and a spot on the All-WCC Freshman Team for his impact as a rookie. He helped Gonzaga achieve a 35–3 overall record and a 17–1 mark in WCC play, securing the conference regular-season title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. In the tournament, the eighth-seeded Bulldogs defeated ninth-seeded in the first round before falling to top-seeded in the second round (Sweet 16).

2015–16 season

In his season at Gonzaga, Sabonis emerged as one of the top players in , averaging 17.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 61.1% from the field. He led the (WCC) in rebounding and recorded 23 double-doubles, ranking fifth nationally in that category, which highlighted his dominance on the boards despite playing increased minutes following a teammate's injury. Building on the consistency he developed as a freshman, Sabonis became the focal point of Gonzaga's offense, using his high basketball IQ and passing ability to facilitate plays from the post. Sabonis's performance earned him significant recognition, including a spot on the All-WCC First Team and NABC All-District First Team, as well as honorable mention honors on the All-American team. Under his leadership, Gonzaga finished the season with a 28-8 overall record and 15-3 mark in WCC play, securing the regular-season conference title before advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA , where they fell to Syracuse. Following the conclusion of the season, Sabonis declared for the 2016 NBA Draft on April 7, forgoing his remaining college eligibility and hiring an agent to pursue a professional career.

NBA career

Oklahoma City Thunder (2016–17)

Domantas Sabonis was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 11th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft before his rights were traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on draft night as part of a deal that sent Serge Ibaka to Orlando in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, and Sabonis's draft rights. In his rookie season with the Thunder, Sabonis transitioned to the NBA as a power forward, often playing alongside center Steven Adams while adjusting to a professional role that emphasized versatility, including learning pick-and-roll execution and floor spacing. His college rebounding prowess at Gonzaga had raised expectations for his interior presence, though his NBA minutes focused on complementary contributions in a crowded frontcourt. Sabonis appeared in all 81 regular-season games for , starting 66 of them and averaging 20.1 minutes per game. He posted averages of 5.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game, shooting 50.1% from the field, while providing steady energy as a starter early in the season before transitioning to more of a rotational role later on. Despite his solid contributions, Sabonis received votes in All-Rookie Second Team balloting (36 points, including two first-place votes) but was not selected to the team. On June 30, 2017, the Thunder traded Sabonis and Oladipo to the in exchange for , with the deal officially completed on July 6, 2017. This move marked the end of his lone season in , where he helped the Thunder reach the Western Conference Finals.

Indiana Pacers (2017–22)

Sabonis was acquired by the in a blockbuster trade from the on July 6, 2017, in exchange for , alongside . During the 2017–18 season, he transitioned into a more prominent role off the bench, appearing in 74 games and starting 51, while averaging 11.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. His contributions helped the Pacers secure a playoff spot as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, where they pushed the to a seven-game first-round series before elimination. In the 2018–19 season, Sabonis emerged as a key reserve, playing all 74 games and starting 52, with averages of 14.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, marking his first career season averaging close to a . He recorded 30 double-doubles, showcasing his rebounding prowess and efficiency inside the paint. For his impact as a , Sabonis finished second in voting for the Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. The Pacers again reached the playoffs as the fifth seed, advancing past the in five games before falling to the in another seven-game series. The 2019–20 season, shortened by the to 72 games league-wide, saw Sabonis earn his first NBA selection as a reserve for the 2020 game in , where he contributed two points and six rebounds. Limited to 62 games due to injury, he averaged 18.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, setting a Pacers single-season record with 43 double-doubles. In the playoffs, the fourth-seeded Pacers were swept by the in the first round. Building on this momentum, Sabonis made his second consecutive appearance in 2021 after being named as an injury replacement, and he won the Skills Challenge during All-Star Weekend. That 2020–21 season, he started all 62 games he played, averaging 20.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, and a career-high 6.7 assists per game, highlighting his evolution as a playmaking big man. Sabonis's final partial season with the Pacers in 2021–22 featured strong production in 47 games, all starts, with averages of 18.9 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game before his midseason departure. Over his five years in , spanning 319 regular-season games, he developed into a versatile frontcourt presence, steadily increasing his assists from 2.0 per game in 2017–18 to 5.0 in 2021–22, while contributing to three playoff appearances that underscored the team's competitiveness in the Eastern Conference.

Sacramento Kings (2022–present)

On February 8, 2022, Sabonis was traded to the in exchange for , , and several draft assets, a deal that surprised many observers given Haliburton's rising status. He finished the 2021–22 with the Kings, averaging 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game over 25 appearances, helping stabilize the team's frontcourt amid a 30–52 finish. In the 2022–23 season, Sabonis emerged as a cornerstone of ' revival, posting averages of 19.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game across 79 contests, earning his first All-NBA Third Team selection. His playmaking and rebounding were instrumental in ending ' 16-year playoff drought, as Sacramento secured the Western Conference's third seed with a 48–34 record. In the , Sabonis averaged 16.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists over seven games against the , though fell in a competitive first-round series, 4–3. Sabonis continued his ascent in 2023–24, leading the NBA in rebounding with 13.7 per game while averaging 19.4 points and 8.2 assists in 82 games, solidifying his role as ' offensive hub despite a 46–36 season that missed the playoffs. On July 2, 2023, he signed a five-year, $217 million extension with Sacramento, including $195 million in new money, affirming his long-term commitment to the franchise. In June 2024, Sabonis changed his jersey number from 10 to 11 to honor his father, , receiving permission from the family of retired Kings legend to unretire the number temporarily. During the 2024–25 campaign, Sabonis again topped the league in rebounding at 13.9 per game, alongside 19.1 points and 6.0 assists in 70 games, while recording a league-leading 61 double-doubles. A highlight came on January 10, 2025, when he notched a career-high 28 rebounds (8 offensive) and 23 points against the , setting a Kings-era record and powering a 114–97 victory. This performance contributed to his Western Conference Player of the Week honor on January 13, 2025, after averaging 22.0 points and 20.3 rebounds in four wins. The Kings finished 40-42 but did not qualify for the postseason. Entering the 2025–26 season, Sabonis returned early from a preseason right strain. He sustained a left ribcage contusion in early November, missing two , before a left soreness in mid-November, causing him to miss additional and be listed as out as of November 20, 2025, with an estimated return on November 20. Through 12 appearances as of November 20, 2025, he averaged 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds (4th in the NBA), and 3.7 assists, while the held a 3-12 record. In January 2026, amid speculation about potential trades involving Sabonis, league sources reported that the Sacramento Kings have no interest in acquiring the contracts of Toronto Raptors players Immanuel Quickley or Jakob Poeltl due to their multi-year salary commitments. On February 1, 2026, Sabonis was a late scratch and ruled out for the Sacramento Kings' game against the Washington Wizards at 6:00 PM ET due to lower back soreness, missing his second consecutive game after sitting out the previous contest against Boston.

International career

Junior national teams

Sabonis began his international career representing Lithuania's junior national teams, where he quickly established himself as a dominant rebounder and versatile big man, adapting to the physicality and international rules of competitions during his formative years. His high school club experience in provided essential preparation for these tournaments, helping him transition to team-oriented play against top European youth talent. In the 2012 FIBA U16 European Championship, co-hosted by and , Sabonis averaged 14.1 points and a tournament-leading 14.4 rebounds per game over seven contests, contributing significantly to Lithuania's silver medal finish after a 78-66 loss to in the final. The following year, at the 2013 FIBA U18 European Championship in , the 17-year-old Sabonis posted averages of 14 points and 11.4 rebounds per game across nine games, leading the tournament in rebounding and helping secure fifth place with a win over . Sabonis returned for the 2014 FIBA U18 European Championship in , where he elevated his performance to 15.9 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in nine appearances, finishing second in tournament rebounding en route to 's seventh-place result. In his final junior outing at the 2015 FIBA U20 European Championship in , Sabonis averaged 11.5 points and 13.2 rebounds per game over 10 games—again topping the rebounding charts—while placed seventh after defeating in the classification game for that position. Throughout these tournaments, Sabonis developed alongside future professional players such as Tautvydas Paliukenas and Martynas Sajus, honing his skills in high-stakes environments that emphasized rebounding dominance and team defense under rules.

Senior national team

Sabonis earned his call-up to the senior national team following standout performances with the junior squads. His debut came at the , where the 19-year-old center appeared in four games, averaging 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game off the bench, as finished in eighth place. The following year, Sabonis took on a larger role at the in Rio de Janeiro, starting all six games and averaging 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per contest in 18.5 minutes of play. advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to , with Sabonis contributing steadily in the frontcourt alongside veterans like . Sabonis participated in the in , appearing in four games and averaging 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, as finished 11th. He also competed in the 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in , , where he averaged 11.8 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over four games, though did not qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. At the , co-hosted by , Georgia, , and , Sabonis averaged 12.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in six games, helping reach the round of 16. During the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers, he averaged 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across two appearances, showcasing his all-around skills in helping secure qualification. However, Sabonis missed the due to on a injury. In the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in , Sabonis anchored the rebounding effort, averaging 12.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game over four outings, including a of 12 points and 11 rebounds against . His performances, such as 22 points and 9 rebounds versus Côte d'Ivoire, highlighted his dominance on the boards, though Lithuania fell short of qualification with a 79-68 loss to in the final. In March 2025, Sabonis announced he would sit out the for personal reasons, prioritizing family matters amid his wife's pregnancy. As the son of Lithuanian basketball icon , he has assumed a leadership position on the senior team, particularly emphasizing his elite rebounding to control the paint in FIBA-style play.

Awards and honors

NBA awards

Sabonis has been selected to the three times, earning starting nods in 2020 and 2021 with the and a reserve spot in 2023 with the . These selections recognized his emergence as a versatile big man, averaging double-doubles in points and rebounds during those seasons while contributing significantly to his teams' playoff pushes. He earned All-NBA Third Team honors in both 2023 and 2024, becoming the first Kings player to achieve consecutive All-NBA selections since in 2001. In the 2022–23 season, Sabonis received 27 votes for All-NBA recognition, highlighting his league-leading rebounding and all-around production. His 2023–24 campaign featured career-high efficiency and playmaking, solidifying his status among the NBA's top forwards despite not advancing to higher All-NBA tiers. Sabonis has won the NBA rebounding title three consecutive seasons, leading the league with 12.3 rebounds per game in 2022–23, 13.7 in 2023–24, and 13.9 in 2024–25. These performances marked him as the first player since in the to capture multiple rebounding crowns, driven by his positioning, hand-eye coordination, and relentless pursuit on the glass. He has been named NBA Player of the Week six times, most recently for games from January 6–12, 2025, when he averaged 20.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists across four victories. Earlier honors include selections in December 2020 with the Pacers and multiple instances during his Kings tenure, often tied to dominant stretches of double-doubles and team wins. During his 2016–17 rookie season with the , Sabonis received consideration for the All-Rookie Second Team, garnering 19 points (including four first-place votes) in All-Rookie First Team balloting but ultimately not selected to either rookie team. In the 2018–19 season, he finished sixth in voting for Most Improved Player, earning one second-place vote amid a breakout year averaging 14.1 points and 9.3 rebounds off the bench for the Pacers. Sabonis holds several Sacramento Kings franchise records related to double-doubles, including the longest streak of consecutive double-doubles in a season at 61 games during 2023–24, surpassing previous marks set by players like . He extended similar streaks into the 2024–25 season, recording 61 double-doubles overall that year and maintaining consistency through the early months of 2025–26.

International and other honors

Sabonis has been recognized as the Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year five times, winning the award in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2024, as selected by the Lithuanian Basketball Federation based on fan and expert votes. In 2024, he received nearly 27% of the votes, outpacing other nominees including . During his early professional career with Unicaja Málaga in the Spanish ACB League, Sabonis earned recognition as one of Europe's top young talents, finishing in the top 10 of Europe's Young Men's Player of the Year voting in 2013 and top 5 in 2014. These honors highlighted his potential despite limited playing time in the , where he appeared in just six games as a 17-year-old in the 2013–14 season. At Gonzaga University, Sabonis was named to the West Coast Conference (WCC) All-Freshman Team and All-WCC Second Team as a freshman in 2014–15, after averaging 9.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while leading the team in field goal percentage at 66.8%. As a sophomore in 2015–16, he earned All-WCC First Team honors and NABC All-District First Team selection, posting a double-double average of 17.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game to lead the conference in rebounding. Sabonis garnered multiple accolades in FIBA youth international competitions, including selection to the All-Tournament Team at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, where he led the event with 11.4 rebounds per game alongside 14.0 points. At the FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, he averaged 14.1 points and 14.4 rebounds over seven games for , contributing to their fourth-place finish despite not earning MVP honors. He also set a FIBA youth tournament rebounding record with 28 in a single game during the 2015 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Domantas Sabonis married Shashana Rosen, a former Lakers dancer and entrepreneur, in August 2021 following their engagement in September 2020. The couple first met at the restaurant Catch in 2019 and went Instagram-official that year. Their wedding took place on the with 150 guests. The couple has three children: son Oliver "Tiger" Sabonis, born on March 11, 2022; daughter Eleven Rose Sabonis, born on July 11, 2023; and son Tauras Sabonis, born on June 5, 2025. Sabonis and Rosen have emphasized the joys of parenthood, with Sabonis present for the births and the family incorporating meaningful names tied to personal significance, such as Eleven Rose honoring his jersey number. Sabonis's family has provided strong support throughout his career transitions, including relocating to the Napa Valley area near Sacramento after his 2022 trade to , where they have established a home and launched a family wine brand. This move allowed them to build roots in the region while balancing family life. Sabonis's father, Hall of Famer , has profoundly influenced his family dynamics and upbringing, often leading shared training sessions with his siblings—older brother Žygimantas, younger brother Tautvydas, and sister Aušrinė—fostering a household centered on the sport from an early age. As Domantas recalled, "We had basketballs in our hands and just decided we were going to play," highlighting the casual yet formative family involvement in .

Other interests and activities

Sabonis has appeared in the docuseries Starting 5, a 2024 production that provides behind-the-scenes access to his life and career as one of five featured NBA players, highlighting his personal vulnerabilities and family dynamics alongside stars like and . Beyond , Sabonis engages in focused on development, including hosting annual camps such as the Domantas Sabonis ProCamp, where he offers hands-on instruction in skills and fundamentals to children aged 7-14. He also supports programs in through family initiatives, contributing to the growth of the sport among underprivileged young players in his home country. In 2023, the recognized his community efforts with the Community Crossover Award, noting his Sabonis Squad initiative co-launched with his wife, which adopts local schools to provide educational supplies, meals, clothing, and incentives like game tickets to encourage reading and physical activity among . Sabonis maintains personal interests in cooking, particularly influenced by his wife's Jewish heritage; he has adopted a kosher diet and visits kosher butchers during trips to . He also enjoys video games as a way to unwind after games, spending late nights immersed in them to balance the demands of his professional and family life. Publicly, Sabonis cultivates a relatable on , sharing glimpses of his family and on , where he connects with fans globally. He has secured endorsements with Lithuanian brands, serving as a for Citadele Bank in to promote in his native country.

Career statistics

NBA statistics

Domantas Sabonis has established himself as one of the NBA's premier big men, particularly noted for his rebounding and playmaking abilities during his professional career spanning from the 2016–17 season to the ongoing 2025–26 campaign. His statistical profile reflects steady progression, with early years focused on development behind established stars and later seasons marked by caliber production, including multiple league-leading performances in rebounds and double-doubles.

Regular Season Statistics

Sabonis's regular season per-game averages have evolved significantly, starting with limited minutes as a on the before becoming a starter with the and later a cornerstone for the . Key trends include a sharp rise in rebounding after 2018–19, peaking at 13.9 rebounds per game in 2024–25, where he led the NBA, and consistent improvement in assists, reaching a high of 8.2 per game in 2023–24. His has also trended upward, exceeding 59% in four of his last five full seasons, underscoring his efficiency as a post player and passer. The following table summarizes his per-game regular season statistics by season:
SeasonTeamGPMPGFG%3P%FT%PPGRPGAPGSPGBPG
2016–17OKC8120.1.399.321.6575.93.61.00.50.4
2017–18IND7424.5.514.351.75011.67.72.00.50.4
2018–19IND7424.8.590.529.71514.19.32.90.60.4
2019–20IND6234.8.540.254.72318.512.45.00.80.5
2020–21IND6236.0.535.321.73220.312.06.71.20.5
2021–22IND/SAC6234.5.573.312.74118.912.15.21.00.4
2022–23SAC7934.6.615.373.74219.112.37.30.80.5
2023–24SAC8235.7.594.379.70419.413.78.20.90.6
2024–25SAC7034.7.590.417.75419.113.96.00.70.4
2025–26SAC1133.2.510.200.72517.212.33.71.20.2
Career totals through November 20, 2025 (657 games played) include averages of 15.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game, alongside shooting splits of 57.3% from the field, 34.9% from three-point range, and 73.3% from the free-throw line.

Playoff Statistics

Sabonis has appeared in the with the Thunder in 2017, the Pacers in 2018 and 2019, and in 2023, totaling 20 games. His playoff production has mirrored his regular-season growth, with a standout 2023 run averaging 16.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game during Sacramento's first-round series against the . Earlier appearances were more limited, particularly his rookie postseason cameo. did not qualify for the in 2024 or 2025.
Playoff YearTeamGPMPGPPGRPGAPG
2017OKC23.02.01.00.0
2018IND723.712.44.60.7
2019IND424.08.57.34.0
2023SAC734.716.411.04.7
Career playoff averages: 12.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in 20 appearances.

Advanced Metrics

Sabonis's advanced statistics highlight his all-around impact, with a career player efficiency rating (PER) of 20.8 and win shares per 48 minutes (WS/48) of .171, peaking at 23.5 PER and .221 WS/48 in 2022–23. He has recorded 403 double-doubles in his career (regular season and playoffs combined), including leading the league in double-doubles for three consecutive seasons from 2022–23 to 2024–25, with 77 in 2023–24 and 61 in 2024–25 alone. These figures underscore his dominance in rebounding and facilitating, contributing to his selection as an and All-NBA player multiple times.

College and European statistics

Sabonis began his basketball career in youth international competitions for , where he demonstrated strong rebounding and scoring abilities at a young age. In the 2012 FIBA U16 European Championship Division A, he averaged 14.1 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game across 7 contests. The following year, at the 2013 FIBA U18 European Championship Division A, Sabonis recorded averages of 14.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over 9 games. Across these two tournaments, totaling 16 games, he averaged 14.0 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. Sabonis joined Málaga's youth system in 2012 and transitioned to professional play with their , Clínicas Rincón, during the 2012–13 LEB Plata season. There, he appeared in 35 games, averaging 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 1.7 turnovers in 18.7 minutes per game, while shooting 44.6% from the field. He made his debut with 's senior team in a 2012 qualifying game against Cibona , contributing 14 points and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes. In the 2013–14 season, Sabonis earned more minutes with the main roster in both the and . His statistics for 2013–14 included 32 games with averages of 3.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 10.5 minutes per game, shooting 47.1% from the field. In the that year, over 19 games, he averaged 2.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 9.3 minutes, with a of 47.8%.
SeasonLeagueGMPFGFGAFG%FTFTAFT%ORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKTOVPFPTS
2013–143210.51.32.7.4710.50.9.5770.91.52.40.20.30.20.72.13.0
2013–14199.31.22.4.4780.40.6.6670.61.42.00.30.20.10.61.52.7
Sabonis played college basketball at Gonzaga University for two seasons from 2014 to 2016, emerging as a dominant interior presence. As a freshman in 2014–15, he averaged 9.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 21.6 minutes over 38 games, shooting an efficient 66.8% from the field. In his sophomore year of 2015–16, Sabonis improved significantly, posting 17.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 31.9 minutes across 36 games, with a 61.1% field goal percentage. Over his Gonzaga career spanning 74 games, Sabonis totaled 1,002 points, 694 rebounds, and 97 assists, averaging 13.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while maintaining a 63.2% field goal percentage.
SeasonGMPFGFGAFG%3P3PA3P%FTFTAFT%ORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKTOVPFPTS
2014–153821.63.85.7.6680.00.02.13.1.6642.24.97.10.90.40.31.62.79.7
2015–163631.96.610.9.6110.10.4.3574.25.4.7693.18.811.81.80.60.92.63.217.6

References

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