​While the Sacramento Kings are navigating a comparatively quiet offseason, one of their prominent players is making a meaningful impact away from the team’s locker room. Ten years after breaking into the NBA, veteran forward Domantas Sabonis returned to Gonzaga, the program where his basketball journey began, to mark a milestone that underscored his lasting bond with the college.
Sabonis acknowledged his Gonzaga roots by making a donation that Gonzaga described as the largest gift ever contributed by a former Bulldogs basketball alumnus to support both the men’s and women’s programs. He and his wife, Shashana, delivered what the university called a “transformative and significant” contribution. In recognition of this extraordinary philanthropic gesture, Gonzaga decided to rename the basketball program’s strength and conditioning facility in Sabonis’s honor.
From this point forward, the Volkar Center for Athletic Achievement will house the Sabonis Family Strength & Conditioning Center. The university, however, did not disclose the specific dollar amount of Sabonis’s donation toward developing Gonzaga’s athletic programs.
Sabonis returned to Spokane for Thursday’s dedication ceremony, where Gonzaga coaches, current players, former teammates, and Sabonis’s family—all gathered to acknowledge the gift. “I’m incredibly grateful for the important role Gonzaga has played in my life and the opportunities the University has given me,” Sabonis said. “My time here helped shape who I am, not only as a basketball player but as a person.”
For the three-time NBA All-Star, the gift signified more than financial support; it underscored a family belief in Gonzaga’s dual emphasis on athletic excellence and personal growth. “We hope that every student who walks into this facility is reminded that with hard work and dedication, you can achieve your dreams,” Sabonis said. “Gonzaga will always be home to us, so we’re proud to help invest in the next generation of Bulldogs.”
The dedication ceremony featured Gonzaga coach Mark Few, current players, and alumni, including Kevin Pangos. Sabonis also shared a moment with current forward Braden Huff, who has faced a knee injury similar to the one Sabonis endured last season. Few praised Sabonis’s work ethic and his emphasis on team-first values, calling him the perfect tribute to the program.
Sabonis’s Gonzaga tenure began in 2014, when he joined the Bulldogs for two seasons. He helped lead Gonzaga to the Elite Eight in 2015 and the Sweet 16 in 2016. As a sophomore, he earned consensus second-team All-America honors after averaging 17.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, finishing his college career as Gonzaga’s all-time leader in field-goal percentage at .632.
Drafted No. 11 overall in 2016, Sabonis has since forged a distinguished NBA career, becoming a three-time NBA All-Star and a three-time NBA rebounding champion. This year, Gonzaga further cemented his legacy by retiring a jersey in his honor, underscoring the strong ties between the university and a player who has continued to exemplify the values he cultivated during his college days. The Sabonis family’s generosity reflects not only a commitment to basketball excellence but also a dedication to shaping the lives of student-athletes on and off the court.