Domantas Sabonis Bio
Domantas Sabonis is a Lithuanian-American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association and the Lithuanian national team. Born on May 3, 1996, in Portland, Oregon, he is the son of Hall of Fame player Arvydas Sabonis. Drafted 11th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2016 NBA Draft, Sabonis has established himself as one of the premier big men in the NBA, earning three All-Star selections, two All-NBA Third Team honors, and leading the league in rebounds for three consecutive seasons from 2023 through 2025.
Sabonis began his professional career in Spain with Unicaja Málaga before playing college basketball at Gonzaga University. After being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on draft night, he spent one season there before a trade to the Indiana Pacers in 2017. He played five seasons with the Pacers, developing into an All-Star caliber player. In 2022, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he has reached the pinnacle of his career, signing a five-year contract extension worth $217 million and becoming the franchise cornerstone.
Early Life and Background
Domantas Sabonis was born on May 3, 1996, in Portland, Oregon, where his father, Arvydas Sabonis, was playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. His mother is Ingrida Mikelionytė, who was crowned the first Miss Lithuania in 1988. Growing up alongside two older brothers, Žygimantas and Tautvydas, and a younger sister, Aušrinė, Sabonis was immersed in basketball from an early age. His father recognized Domantas’s potential early on, noting his stubbornness and left-handedness as indicators of his potential to follow in his footsteps.
In 2004, when Arvydas retired from professional basketball, the family relocated to Málaga, Spain. This international upbringing provided Domantas with a multicultural background and early exposure to European basketball styles, which would later influence his versatile playing approach. The move came at a formative time in his development, allowing him to grow while absorbing his father’s wisdom about the game.
Path to Professional Basketball
Sabonis began his professional basketball journey in Spain, signing with Unicaja Málaga in 2012 at just 16 years old. His debut came against Cibona Zagreb in the EuroLeague, marking the start of his professional career. He was later loaned to Clínicas Rincón for the 2012-13 season before returning to Málaga. During his time with Unicaja, he maintained his amateur status to preserve his NCAA eligibility, never signing a professional contract despite receiving offers worth $630,000 over three years.
Rather than continuing in the Spanish league, Sabonis chose to pursue college basketball in the United States. He declined the Unicaja contract and committed to Gonzaga University for the 2014-15 season. This decision proved pivotal, as it allowed him to develop his skills against collegiate competition while playing for one of the NCAA’s premier programs under head coach Mark Few. In his freshman season, he averaged 9.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, shooting an impressive 66.8% from the field, helping the Bulldogs reach the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16.
His sophomore season saw a dramatic improvement, with his scoring and rebounding numbers nearly doubling. He set a career-high of 36 points against Tennessee and earned First-team All-WCC honors, CBS College Basketball All-America Third-team recognition, and was one of the finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. Gonzaga retired his number 11 in recognition of his contributions to the program.
Domantas Sabonis Career
Oklahoma City Thunder (2016-2017)
Sabonis was selected 11th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2016 NBA Draft but was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on draft night as part of a package for Serge Ibaka. He made his NBA debut on October 26, 2016, in the Thunder’s season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, recording five points and four rebounds as a starter. Remarkably, he became the first Thunder player to debut as a starting five member since Kevin Durant. His rookie season showed promise, with him earning a spot in the 2017 Rising Stars Challenge and finishing the year as a starter in 66 of 81 games.
Indiana Pacers Breakthrough (2017-2022)
In July 2017, Sabonis was traded to the Indiana Pacers as part of the deal sending Paul George to Oklahoma City. This move proved transformative for his career. With the Pacers, Sabonis evolved into a dominant force, earning his first two NBA All-Star selections in 2020 and 2021. He became the first Lithuanian player in NBA history to record a triple-double, accomplishing this feat in January 2020 against the Denver Nuggets with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
His 2020-21 season was particularly impressive, as he set franchise records with nine triple-doubles and became the first player in Pacers history to record at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a single game. In February 2021, he won the NBA Skills Challenge during All-Star Weekend, defeating Nikola Vučević in the final. On January 5, 2022, he scored a career-high 42 points against the Utah Jazz, becoming the highest-scoring Lithuanian in NBA history.
Sacramento Kings Era (2022-Present)
In February 2022, Sabonis was traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Tyrese Haliburton. He made his Kings debut the following day, recording 22 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists in a victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. His first full season with the Kings in 2022-23 proved historic, as he earned his third All-Star selection and first All-NBA Third Team honors. He led the league in rebounds with 12.3 per game and guided the Kings to the playoffs, ending the franchise’s record 16-season postseason drought alongside De’Aaron Fox.
In July 2023, Sabonis signed a five-year contract extension worth $217 million, the most lucrative deal in Lithuanian sports history. The 2023-24 season saw him continue his dominance, recording his 50th career triple-double and becoming the fifth player in NBA history to record at least 25 triple-doubles in a single season. He set the Kings franchise record with 61 consecutive double-doubles. In June 2024, the Kings announced Sabonis would wear number 11 to honor his father, with the blessing of the Davies family.
Playing Style and Strengths
Sabonis has established himself as one of the NBA’s most versatile big men, excelling as both a center and power forward. Standing 6 feet 10 inches and weighing 240 pounds, he combines physical presence with exceptional skill. His rebounding ability stands out, leading the league for three consecutive seasons. He has shown the capacity to record triple-doubles consistently, demonstrating his all-around game that includes scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. His efficiency is remarkable, with career-high shooting percentages and the ability to impact games in multiple facets.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sabonis has achieved numerous milestones throughout his career. In April 2023, he led the league in rebounds and helped the Kings end their 16-season playoff drought. He has recorded unique triple-doubles including one without a missed field goal, turnover, or foul, becoming the first player in NBA history to accomplish this feat. His 61 consecutive double-doubles set a Kings franchise record, and he became the sixth player since the ABA/NBA merger to record 60 or more double-doubles in three consecutive seasons.
Domantas Sabonis Career Highlights
Sabonis has built an impressive collection of achievements across his professional career, spanning his time in Spain, college basketball at Gonzaga, and his NBA career with three different franchises. His versatility and consistency have allowed him to excel at every level.
NBA Highlights
Domantas Sabonis has emerged as one of the NBA’s premier players, earning three All-Star selections in 2020, 2021, and 2023. He has been named to the All-NBA Third Team twice, in 2023 and 2024. His rebounding prowess has been exceptional, leading the NBA in rebounds for three consecutive seasons from 2023 through 2025. He has recorded over 50 career triple-doubles and holds the Sacramento Kings franchise record with 61 consecutive double-doubles in a single season.
International and College Achievements
On the international stage, Sabonis has represented Lithuania since his youth, winning a silver medal at EuroBasket 2015 in his debut. He played for the Lithuanian national team at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He was named Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year five times, consecutively from 2018 through 2022. At the college level, he earned Second-team Academic All-American honors in 2016 and was named First-team All-WCC during his sophomore season.
Domantas Sabonis Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Domantas Sabonis comes from a legendary basketball family. His father, Arvydas Sabonis, is a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee who was one of the greatest European players before his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers. Growing up with access to his father’s wisdom and guidance provided Domantas with a unique foundation in basketball. His father recognized his potential early, noting his stubbornness and left-handedness as distinguishing traits. The Sabonis basketball legacy continues through Domantas, who has surpassed even his father’s NBA achievements in certain statistical categories.
Personal Life
Sabonis married Shashana Rosen on August 15, 2021, in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France, with a rabbi officiating the ceremony. They have three children together: a son named Tiger born in March 2022, a daughter named Eleven Rose born in July 2023, and a son named Tauras Levi born in June 2025. The family observes Shabbat and maintains a kosher diet. In April 2023, his wife announced that Sabonis was converting to Judaism. The couple launched a wine brand called Ones by Sabonis in November 2024.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Sabonis being selected as Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year for the fifth time in January. He recorded a career-high 28 rebounds against the Boston Celtics and tied that figure later against the New Orleans Pelicans. 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.
However, the season took a difficult turn when Sabonis missed games against the Phoenix Suns due to injury before returning. He later missed time against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a partially torn meniscus, being ruled out for several weeks. After a two-month recovery period, he returned to the lineup in January 2026, contributing 13 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a victory over the Washington Wizards. He ultimately underwent season-ending meniscus surgery in February 2026, bringing his 2025 campaign to a close despite the injury challenges.