Domantas Sabonis is poised to make a return to the global basketball stage this summer. The former standout player for Gonzaga and current All-NBA forward with the Sacramento Kings will represent the Lithuanian national team as they seek to secure a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games, as confirmed by head coach Kazys Maksvytis. Joining Sabonis in committing to the national team is New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas, who expressed his unwavering dedication to the cause.
Lithuania, having finished sixth in the 2023 FIBA World Cup without Sabonis, aims to clinch qualification for the Olympics by securing a first-place finish at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament scheduled for July. Sabonis and his teammates will kick off their campaign against Mexico and Ivory Coast in Group A on July 2 and 3, respectively. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semifinals, where they will face off against the top two teams from Group B (Italy, Puerto Rico, and Bahrain), culminating in the final round on July 7. The victor of the tournament will secure a berth in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Prior to the qualifiers, Lithuania will engage in three matches against Lebanon and a friendly encounter against Slovenia, featuring the talented Luka Doncic, in June.
Sabonis last represented Lithuania in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers, where he made significant contributions across two games, averaging 16 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, aiding Lithuania to a second-place finish in Group K.
A successful campaign in the 2024 qualifiers would mark Sabonis’ second appearance in the Olympic Games, following his participation in the 2016 Rio Games shortly after concluding his college career at Gonzaga. Although Lithuania failed to qualify for the 2020 Olympics, they secured a commendable seventh-place finish in Rio.
Sabonis arrives at the international stage following another remarkable season with the Sacramento Kings, where he led the NBA in rebounds and tallied an impressive 77 double-doubles and 26 triple-doubles. With averages of 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game—an achievement matched only by Wilt Chamberlain in history—Sabonis solidified his status as one of the league’s elite performers.
