Domantas Sabonis: Carrying the Weight of a Legendary Name
FROM THE ROAD, the modern villa nestled in Northern California feels like a slice of Italy. Old-growth olive trees line the driveway, leading to Tuscan elms that frame the front door. Rows of Cabernet Sauvignon vines soak up the spring sunlight beside one of the two garages. It’s a serene setting, but the quiet is soon broken by the sound of a child’s laughter.
Emerging from the second garage, which doubles as a gym complete with weights, an ice bath, and a sauna, is none other than Domantas Sabonis. Dressed in gray shorts and a white T-shirt, the Sacramento Kings’ star forward greets with a smile and an outstretched hand. It’s a rare off day for Sabonis, who, along with his family, returned home after a late-night flight as his ninth NBA regular season nears its conclusion.
Inside, his wife, Shashana, carries their soon-to-be-9-month-old daughter, while Sabonis takes a seat at a round table next to a children’s booster seat. He lifts his 2-year-old son, Tiger, onto his knee and asks, “What does Daddy do?” Tiger, shy but smiling, knows the answer. Basketball is already in his blood. His first word was “ball,” and he was drawn to the game instinctively, even before his parents introduced it to him.
Now, Tiger has toy hoops scattered around the house. He can dribble, dunk, and even works on his shooting form with his dad. “He is obsessed,” Sabonis says, beaming with pride. Tiger attends games, cheers for his dad, and demands dunks every time Sabonis touches the ball. But Tiger doesn’t yet understand just how good his father is.
Breaking Records and Making History
Last season, Sabonis joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to record 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 600 assists in a single season. Chamberlain achieved this feat in 1966-67 and 1967-68, winning MVP honors both times. This season, Sabonis is averaging a career-high 20.8 points on 62.2% shooting, including a career-best 42.9% from three-point range. He ranks third in the league in rebounds (12.7) and leads the NBA in double-doubles (21).
In his third full season with the Kings, Sabonis is not only trying to elevate a franchise that has long struggled for consistent success but is also redefining the role of the modern big man. His ability to handle the ball, shoot from deep, and serve as an offensive hub is a nod to his legendary father, Arvydas Sabonis, who helped pioneer this style decades ago.
A Legacy Born in Lithuania
Arvydas Sabonis, speaking from Lithuania, recalls his son’s early days on the court. “He was always on the court,” Arvydas says. Domantas, born in May 1996 during the Portland Trail Blazers’ playoff run, grew up in the shadow of his father’s towering legacy—both literally and figuratively. Arvydas, a 7-foot-3, 292-pound phenom, was considered the best international player in the world during his prime. Known for his no-look passes, soft shooting touch, and dominance in the paint, Arvydas was a force of nature.
Despite being drafted by the Trail Blazers in 1986, Arvydas didn’t join the NBA until 1995 due to geopolitical tensions and injuries. By then, he was 31 and past his prime, yet he still made an immediate impact, earning All-Rookie First Team honors and averaging 23.6 points and 10.6 rebounds in the playoffs. His delayed arrival left fans wondering: What if Arvydas had come to the NBA in his prime?
“We would have had four, five, or six titles,” former Blazers great Clyde Drexler once said. “Guaranteed. He was that good.”
Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Domantas didn’t fully grasp his father’s greatness until he was 10 years old and stumbled upon Arvydas’ highlight reels on YouTube. “Wow,” he thought. “He was actually really good.” Inspired, Domantas pursued basketball with a passion, eventually playing for Gonzaga before being drafted 11th overall in 2016—the same number his father wore.
Now, as a three-time All-Star, Domantas is carving out his own legacy. Last season, under head coach Mike Brown, the Kings’ offense transformed, with Sabonis at its center. The team ran 1,136 direct handoffs with Sabonis, the most in the Second Spectrum tracking era. His ability to execute the dribble-handoff (DHO) action has been pivotal, drawing comparisons to Nikola Jokic, the reigning MVP.
- Sabonis averaged 19.1 points and a league-best 12.3 rebounds last season.
- The Kings’ offense improved from 24th to first in the NBA under Brown.
- Sacramento ended a 16-year playoff drought, the longest in major North American sports.
The Weight of a Name
Despite his accomplishments, Domantas remains humble. “I just feel bad because I’m nothing like him,” he says of his father. “He’s at a whole different level.” But those who watch him play see the similarities. “There’s times where he’s just driving and he hits a behind-the-back pass to a guy that’s cutting, and you’re like, ‘How did you see that?’” says teammate De’Aaron Fox.
Arvydas, now nearly 60, is proud of his son’s journey. “He is a warrior—like me,” he says. For Domantas, the goal is clear: to honor his father’s legacy while forging his own path. And perhaps, one day, his son Tiger will continue the Sabonis tradition.
As the evening sun sets over their California home, Domantas turns to Tiger and asks, “You want to play hoops before dinner?” The answer is an emphatic “YEAH!” The next chapter of the Sabonis legacy is already in motion.
Originally Written by: Kevin Arnovitz
