“My goal is to be the first Lithuanian NBA champion. I grew watching my dad play for the Portland Trail Blazers – all my motivation comes from my dad,” said Sabonis.
“I like to prepare myself, working out my moves, getting better as a player, prepare myself for this next level. It’s a bit scary but also I am really excited. I want to show everyone I can play at that level,” he said
A range of mock drafts have Sabonis Jr, son of Lithuanian NBA legend Arvydas, going to anywhere from the Denver Nuggets to the Boston Celtics, but the young star is ready to take the step up, making clear his future ambitions.
Sabonis may go as high as 8th in the draft or as low as 20th depending on which mock draft you look at, but he worked out with only four NBA teams the Toronto Raptors (9th), Utah Jazz (12th), Phoenix Suns (13th), and Boston Celtics (16th), showing his preference.
Going to the Raptors would provide Lithuanian fans with the dream duo of Jonas Valunciunas and Sabonis Jr in the same line up, in a team that reached this year’s Eastern Conference finals before being knocked out by eventual winners the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James.
Sabonis’ final destination will be revealed this Thursday when the 2016 NBA draft kicks off and with so many teams interested in the talented big man, at this point it is impossible to know where he will end up. Wherever he lands, his determination to reach the top is clear.
Be the first to comment