Domantas Sabonis is giving Gonzaga more than memories.
The Kings big man and his wife, Shashana, made what the school called a “transformative and significant” gift, the largest donation ever by a former Gonzaga basketball player. In response, the university is renaming the program’s strength and conditioning space inside the Volkar Center for Athletic Achievement as the Sabonis Family Strength & Conditioning Center.
Gonzaga did not reveal the size of the donation, but the impact was clear at Thursday’s dedication ceremony in Spokane. Sabonis was back on campus a decade after launching his NBA career, joined by Gonzaga coaches, current players, former teammates and family members for a celebration built around his connection to the program.
“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.”
He said the gift reflects his family’s belief in what Gonzaga does for student-athletes beyond the scoreboard.
“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.”
Mark Few was there, too, along with current players and former Zags such as Kevin Pangos. Sabonis also spent time with Braden Huff, the current forward who dealt with a knee injury similar to the one Sabonis suffered last season.
Few said Sabonis earned this kind of recognition the hard way, through the way he carried himself in the program.
“Domantas earned the respect of everyone in our program through his relentless work ethic, toughness and unwavering commitment to his teammates,” Few said. “He truly embodies what it means to be a Zag.”
Sabonis’ Gonzaga résumé is already locked in. He played two seasons from 2014-16, helped the Bulldogs reach the Elite Eight in 2015 and the Sweet 16 in 2016, and earned consensus second-team All-America honors as a sophomore after averaging 17.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. He finished his college career as Gonzaga’s all-time leader in field-goal percentage at .632.
The No. 11 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft has since grown into a three-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA rebounding champion. Earlier this year, Gonzaga retired his No. 11 jersey at McCarthey Athletic Center.
The donation also follows Sabonis’ announcement that he has been medically cleared to return to the court after the torn meniscus that ended his 2025-26 NBA season.
And for Sabonis, the reason behind the move never sounded complicated.
He said he “love this place to death" and “want all the athletes that come through here to succeed."
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