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Indiana Pacers big man Domantas Sabonis will pay tribute to father Arvydas when he takes on the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center tonight.
The Portland-born All Star will wear shoes depicting Arvydas Sabonis, both in his years playing for the Blazers and his representation with the Lithuanian national team. The shoes were designed by local artist Justin Tigner.
I had the honor of creating the walk-in shoes for Domantas Sabonis that he will be wearing into tonight’s game against Portland. The photos do not do these justice #Pacers #Ripcity pic.twitter.com/YQvPqFf20v
— Justin Tigner (@JustinTigner) November 6, 2021
Initially selected by the Blazers with the 24th pick in the 1986 draft, Sabonis Sr. didn’t arrive in the NBA for a decade. He started the first of two stints, spanning 1995 to 2003, with Portland aged 30.
Pre NBA, Sabonis Sr. enjoyed success in Europe, earning a list of prizes, including EuroBasket MVP, FIBA European League Champion, and playing a central role in a series of battles as a member of the Soviet Union team taking on the US.
Sabonis Jr. is already one of the NBA’s premier big men, making his way onto two NBA All-Star teams by the age of 25.
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