Youngest son of a former Blazer Arvydas Sabonis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18tnToDLHV4). Born: 1996 (age 18) Height: 6'10-6'11 Played some limited minutes in Euroleague before deciding to go to Gonzaga. Just got ranked #23 in 2016 class but I feel like he's going to move up to a lottery pick when it's all said and done. Strengths: Good rebounder (averaged 11.4rpg in 26.4mpg in Euro U18s) Good passer Good post-game Crafty around the rim Quick/mobile Good BBIQ, moves well on defensive rotations, good man-to-man D Weaknesses: Very average leaper Weak FT shooter (~60%) Streaky midrange jumper Lack of shotblocking <object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/xeyO_3swT-k?hl=lt_LT&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/xeyO_3swT-k?hl=lt_LT&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
He is a good prospect, and if he can refine his post game and passing and shooting, he could be a solid player. Too bad he didn't get his fathers incredible natural strength, wide shoulders and explosiveness. Me thinks Arvydas should have laid the wood to Sheryl Swoops and not the blonde model. Granted Domantas would be ugly as sin, but I suspect he would have a little extra basketball wise in the tank.
Has anyone ever seen "The Other Dream Team"? It was an NBA TV documentary about the Lithuania National team being under Soviet rule begrudgingly. It was really an amazing story. So sad that Arvydas was unable to come over to the NBA at a younger age when he could actually jump. The guy was a legend apparently. People think he would have been one of the better NBA centers to play the game. The only highlights we get to see are when Lithuania played on national TV or in his older days with the Blazers. The documentary is really well done and is pretty inspiring. There are clips of Jonas Valancuinus given respect to all of the players on their 1992 Olympic team for all they accomplished on and off the basketball court.
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He is not the player his father was. He relies too much on his height and the bad positioning of the defense.
That's for sure. If he was anywhere near the player his father was, he'd already be hyped as a motherf**$#! <object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/06usV6451ik?hl=lt_LT&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/06usV6451ik?hl=lt_LT&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
No one is or will ever be the player his father was. Often times Aarvydas gets forgotten when mentioning skilled big men to have played the game. They forget how skilled and dominant he was. I fear Yao will be in a similar situation 10 years from now.
Guy made his debut in NCAA 20 minutes, 14 points (6-9 FG), 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, 0 turnovers
Second game in NCAA (vs Larry Brown's SMU): 20 minutes, 13 points (4-8 FG, 5-7 FT) & 9 rebounds. So far averaging 13.5 PPG & 8.5 RPG in 20 MPG coming off the bench. <iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/O5laHZmwJTX/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Another double-double (vs St Joseph's): 19 minutes, 10 points (4-4 FG, 2-3 FT), 11 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist. So far averaging (through 3 games) 12.3ppg, 9.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg in 19.7mpg on 67% FG.
Sabonis has been impressive for a freshman. Only playing 22mpg bus is averaging 10/7 on excellent shooting - 70.7% from the field. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aRwdhy6tY_w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kQ0cE0YSwq8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Nope, it's pretty damn hard to match his Dad's skillset... But Sabonis Jr might work his way into the lottery if he keeps improving.