Arvydas Sabonis is a renowned Lithuanian retired professional basketball player and entrepreneur, widely regarded as one of the finest European players of all time. With an impressive array of accolades, he has won the prestigious Euroscar award an unprecedented six times, and the Mr. Europa Award twice, solidifying his status as a basketball legend.
Throughout his illustrious career, Sabonis has played in various leagues, including a remarkable seven-season stint in the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a dominant center, he has achieved remarkable success, capturing a gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in South Korea, representing the Soviet Union, and later earning bronze medals at the 1992 Olympic Games and 1996 Olympic Games, proudly wearing the Lithuanian jersey.
Sabonis' remarkable journey in professional basketball began with his selection by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 1986 NBA draft, although he didn't make his NBA debut until the age of 30, in 1995. Despite this late start, he went on to leave an indelible mark on the game, earning a reputation as one of the greatest big man passers and overall centers in basketball history.
Bill Walton, a former NBA great, once aptly described Sabonis as "a 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) Larry Bird", due to his extraordinary court vision, shooting range, rugged in-game mentality, and versatility. This testament to his skill and dominance on the court is a testament to his enduring legacy.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements in international competition, Sabonis was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame on August 20, 2010. He was subsequently named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on April 4, 2011, and was inducted as a player on August 12, 2011. At the time of his induction, he was the tallest player to ever enter the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a distinction he would later relinquish to Ralph Sampson.
On October 24, 2011, Sabonis was elected as the next President of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation, succeeding Vladas Garastas, who had led the LBF since 1991. This appointment marked a new chapter in his basketball journey, as he continues to make a lasting impact on the sport he loves.
