Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat 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.
Player Profile
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.
Player Archetype / Play Style
Arvydas Sabonis fit the archetype of a playmaking center, a rare offensive hub big who combined true interior size with passing vision more commonly associated with guards. Offensively, he could score on the block, hit from range, and pick apart defenses as a facilitator, which made him a highly unusual frontcourt creator for his era. Defensively, he filled a traditional center role around the paint, using his size and positioning to protect the interior and control the glass more than chase on the perimeter. Physically, Sabonis was listed by NBA.com at 7’3″ and 292 pounds, giving him massive frame, reach, and natural strength even after the injuries that shaped his later career. His overall play style was cerebral and versatile: a towering big man with soft hands, high-level touch, and a feel for the game that let him function as both a back-to-the-basket presence and a passing fulcrum. (NBA)
Sources: Arvydas Sabonis player profile — NBA.com; Arvydas Sabonis stats, height, weight, position, draft status and more — Basketball-Reference; Arvydas Sabonis Hall of Fame profile — Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame; Trail Blazers Top 100: The Mountain Moves — Blazer’s Edge