“Ever since I was a child, we always hear: ‘Your father is better than you. Your father is this. Your father is that. We hear it all the time, in every game.” says Domantas Sabonis. “But without that, I wouldn’t have arrived where I am. I use it as a fuel to improve myself”.
We have known for several years that basketball is a family affair with the Sabonis. European basketball legend, Arvydas Sabonis, father of Domantas, played seven seasons in the NBA after crushing everything in Europe. During his time in the Big League, he had worn the colors of a single franchise, the Blazers, where his physique and his sense of the pass had worked wonders. Elected in the best five rookie at… 31 years old, he had allowed Portland to shake the Lakers of the Kobe-Shaq tandem in 2000. An extraordinary player.
“We knew he was a basketball player, but we looked at him as our father” remembers Domantas Sabonis. “We didn’t know who he really was”.
No family pressure
At the New York Times, Domantas Sabonis reveals that his father did not push any of his children to play basketball. Neither did their mother, Ingrida Sabonis, a former Miss Lithuania. But lo and behold, Domantas wanted to become a professional basketball player, just like his father, and had nothing else in mind. He therefore joined the Spanish club Unicaja Malaga, with whom he made his professional debut at the age of 16. Subsequently, he took the direction of the United States in order to evolve in the NCAA, and he chose Gonzaga University.
An assistant at the time, Tommy Lloyd had helped recruit Domantas to Gonzaga. The current Arizona coach reveals he only spoke to Domantas’ brother, Tautvydas. As for his father, Arvydas, he only met him after Domantas signed up with the Bulldogs. The reason ? The “Tsar” did not want to influence the choice of his son.
“My son should have the right to make his own decisions” said Arvydas Sabonis to Tommy Lloyd. “And I feel good as a parent to allow him to do it, since I was never allowed to do it”.
A father proud of his son
Today in Arizona, Tommy Lloyd recalled Domantas used to tell him that he was motivated to carry on the aura of his family.
“He felt like he was carrying on the Sabonis legacy in basketball” explained Tommy Lloyd. “It was something he took very, very, very seriously. I don’t mean he was afraid of failure, but he absolutely wanted to succeed for the family name..
We can say that the mission is accomplished since at only 26 years old, he already has a good track record with three All-Star selections and a silver medal at the Eurobasket. Next to De’Aaron Fox, it allowed Sacramento to validate its ticket for the playoffs, a first since 2006 for the Californian franchise. On an individual level, he is the best rebounder in the league this season with 12.4 catches on average per game, and the number 2 in triple-doubles thanks to qualities of passer that we did not suspect him! A dream season that makes the Sabonis family happy, and even more so the dad.
“I think my dad is our best friend” tells his big brother. ” He is incredible. He watches all Domantas games. He always calls me, and says ‘Are you watching? ‘. I answer him: ‘Dad, I have to work tomorrow’. My dad appreciates it all. He’s his son. He plays at the highest level. These are not individual awards. That’s not what it’s about. It’s just a matter of turning on the television and watching your own son “.
