Last Updated on January 29, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake
Arvydas Romas Sabonis is a retired Lithuanian professional basketball player renowned for his exceptional skills as a center. Standing at 7 feet 3 inches (221 cm) and weighing approximately 279 pounds (127 kg), he was celebrated for his versatility, including his shooting, passing, and basketball IQ.
Personal Information:
- Full Name: Arvydas Romas Sabonis
- Nationality: Lithuanian
- Date of Birth: December 19, 1964
- Hometown: Kaunas, Lithuania
- Height: 7 feet 3 inches (221 cm)
- Weight: 279 pounds (127 kg)
- Position: Center
- Jersey Number: 11
Career Highlights:
- International Achievements:
- Gold Medal with the Soviet Union at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
- Bronze Medals with Lithuania at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
- Gold Medal at the 1982 FIBA World Championship.
- Club Career:
- Played for Žalgiris Kaunas (1981–1989), CB Valladolid (1989–1992), Real Madrid (1992–1995), and the Portland Trail Blazers (1995–2001, 2002–2003).
- Won the EuroLeague with Real Madrid in 1995.
- NBA Career:
- Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 1986 NBA Draft.
- Joined the NBA in 1995, playing seven seasons with the Trail Blazers.
- Named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1996.
Honors:
- Inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2010.
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.
Personal Life:
- Family:
- Married to Ingrida Mikelionytė, with whom he has four children.
- His son, Domantas Sabonis, is a professional basketball player in the NBA.
Arvydas Sabonis is widely regarded as one of the greatest European basketball players of all time, with a legacy that continues through his contributions to the sport and his family’s ongoing involvement in basketball.