Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Domantas Sabonis

How Domantas Sabonis built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Domantas Sabonis is a Lithuanian-American professional basketball player currently playing for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. The son of basketball Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis, Domantas has carved out a successful career of his own. He's a two-time All-NBA Team selection, a three-time NBA All-Star, and has twice led the NBA in rebounding. He also represents the Lithuanian national team in international competitions.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

September 5, 2012: Unicaja Málaga Debut

On September 5, 2012, Domantas Sabonis, at just 16 years old, debuted for Unicaja Málaga against Cibona Zagreb.

2012: International Debut with Lithuania U-16

In 2012, Domantas Sabonis made his international debut with the Lithuania U-16 national team at the 2012 FIBA U-16 European Championship, averaging 14.1 points, 14.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

October 13, 2013: Liga ACB Debut

On October 13, 2013, Domantas Sabonis debuted in the Liga ACB, becoming the youngest Unicaja player to debut in the ACB at 17 years, 5 months, and 10 days old.

2013: Played for Lithuania U-18 Team

In 2013, at 17 years of age, Domantas Sabonis played for the Lithuania U-18 team in 2013 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. He averaged 14 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game and was tournament leader in rebounds per game.

November 14, 2014: Debut Scoring 14 Points

On November 14, 2014, Domantas Sabonis debuted for Gonzaga University, scoring 14 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists in 20 minutes.

2014: Included on Preliminary List for National Team and Played in FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship

In 2014, coach Jonas Kazlauskas included Domantas Sabonis on the preliminary list for the Lithuania men's national basketball team. In 2014, Domantas Sabonis played in the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship for the second time. This time he averaged 15.9 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

July 9, 2015: Invited to Lithuania National Team Training Camp

On July 9, 2015, Domantas Sabonis was invited to join the Lithuania men's national team training camp for the first time.

July 29, 2015: Debut for Lithuania Men's National Team

On July 29, 2015, Domantas Sabonis debuted for the Lithuania men's national team in a game against Australia, scoring 4 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. Sabonis was the youngest player ever to play for the national team.

2015: Return to Gonzaga

In April 2015, Domantas Sabonis decided to return for his sophomore season at Gonzaga University, foregoing the 2015 NBA draft.

April 2016: Declares for the NBA Draft

In April 2016, Domantas Sabonis declared himself eligible for the 2016 NBA draft and hired an agent, ending his college career at Gonzaga University.

August 12, 2016: Signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder

On August 12, 2016, Domantas Sabonis signed his rookie scale contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2016: Played in the Summer Olympics

In 2016, Domantas Sabonis played for Lithuania at the Summer Olympics, where he averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.

2016: Drafted by Orlando Magic, traded to Oklahoma City Thunder

In 2016, Domantas Sabonis was drafted 11th overall by the Orlando Magic in the NBA draft but was then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on the same night.

July 6, 2017: Traded to Indiana Pacers

On July 6, 2017, Domantas Sabonis was traded to the Indiana Pacers.

2017: Traded to Indiana Pacers

In 2017, Domantas Sabonis was traded to the Indiana Pacers.

September 26, 2018: Pacers Picked Up Sabonis' Option

On September 26, 2018, the Indiana Pacers picked up the team option on Domantas Sabonis' contract.

October 21, 2019: Contract Extension with Pacers

On October 21, 2019, Domantas Sabonis signed a four-year, $77 million contract extension with the Indiana Pacers.

January 21, 2020: First Lithuanian to Record Triple-Double

On January 21, 2020, Domantas Sabonis became the first Lithuanian in NBA history to record a triple-double with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win against the Denver Nuggets.

December 23, 2020: New Career-High of 32 Points

On December 23, 2020, Domantas Sabonis started the 2020–21 season with a new career-high of 32 points, along with 13 rebounds, five assists, and one steal, and led his team to a 121–107 victory versus the New York Knicks.

December 27, 2020: Game-Winning Layup

On December 27, 2020, Domantas Sabonis put up 19 points and 10 rebounds, alongside a game-winning layup, in a 108–107 win over the Boston Celtics.

January 9, 2021: New Rebounding Record

On January 9, 2021, Domantas Sabonis achieved his new rebounding record by having a double-double of 28 points, 22 rebounds, and 4 assists, becoming the first player of the Pacers to have a double-double of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in 3 quarters. However, his team lost 125–117 to the Phoenix Suns.

January 22, 2021: Career's New Record of Steals

On January 22, 2021, Domantas Sabonis set his career's new record of steals by having five of them, along with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, his team won 120–118 in OT versus the Orlando Magic after he made a last shot to tie the game in the fourth quarter.

February 3, 2021: Improved Scoring Record

On February 3, 2021, Domantas Sabonis improved his scoring record by having 33 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in just 3 quarters; however, his team lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 110–130.

February 17, 2021: Improved Scoring Record and Triple-Double

On February 17, 2021, Domantas Sabonis once again improved his scoring record by having a triple-double of 36 points, 17 rebounds, and ten assists, leading his team to a 134–128 victory versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the first player of the Pacers to have at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a single NBA game.

January 5, 2022: Fifteenth Career Triple-Double

On January 5, 2022, Domantas Sabonis logged his fifteenth career triple-double with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a 129–121 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

February 8, 2022: Traded to the Sacramento Kings

On February 8, 2022, Domantas Sabonis was traded to the Sacramento Kings along with Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb and a 2023 second-round pick in exchange for Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson.

2022: Traded to Sacramento Kings

In 2022, Domantas Sabonis was traded to the Sacramento Kings.

January 13, 2023: Career-High 16 Assists

On January 13, 2023, Domantas Sabonis recorded 19 points, 15 rebounds, and a career-high 16 assists in a 139–114 win over the Houston Rockets. Sabonis became the first player in Kings history to record at least 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in a game since Oscar Robertson in 1965.

February 2, 2023: Named to Third NBA All-Star Team

On February 2, 2023, Domantas Sabonis was named to his third NBA All-Star team as a reserve for the Western Conference. He, along with De'Aaron Fox, became the first Kings players to be named All-Stars since DeMarcus Cousins in 2016.

July 2, 2023: Signed Five-Year Contract Extension

On July 2, 2023, Domantas Sabonis and the Kings terminated the remaining one-season contract worth $19.4 million and signed a five-year contract extension worth $217 million. This is the most profitable contract in Lithuania's sport history.

2023: All-NBA Team Selection and Playoff Run

In 2023, Domantas Sabonis was selected to his first All-NBA team and third All-Star selection. He led the Sacramento Kings to the third seed in the 2023 NBA playoffs, breaking their 16-season playoff drought.

January 3, 2024: Season-High 23 Rebounds and Triple-Double

On January 3, 2024, Domantas Sabonis recorded a triple-double with 22 points, a then season-high 23 rebounds and 12 assists in a 138–135 double overtime win over the Orlando Magic.

January 29, 2024: Career-High 26 Rebounds

On January 29, 2024, Domantas Sabonis scored 20 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the field, grabbed a career-high 26 rebounds and delivered 5 assists in a 103–94 win against the Memphis Grizzlies. He became the second player in NBA history with at least 20 points, 25 rebounds, five assists and a shooting percentage of 90% or better.