Domas facilitates jersey swaps with Kings fans after number change originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SACRAMENTO – Domantas Sabonis is already one of the most popular players on the Kings roster. After what the 6-foot-2 center did on Friday, he’ll undoubtedly gain an even bigger following.
About four dozen fans who walked into the Golden 1 Center wearing Sabonis’ No. 10 jersey before Sacramento’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers were treated to an early Christmas present of sorts when they received jerseys with Sabonis’ new No. 11 on them.
The jersey exchange was the brainchild of Sabonis and his wife after the Kings center changed his number for the 2024-2025 NBA season in tribute to his legendary father, Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis.
Sabonis had switched to number 10 when he arrived in Sacramento because the franchise had retired number 11 in honor of Hall of Famer Bob Davies, but Davies’ children gave Sabonis their blessing to wear it this season.
The couple paid for the new jerseys themselves as a way to thank Sacramento fans for their support since Sabonis arrived in town via trade in early 2022.
“We thought it would be nice to buy as many as we can and help some fans out,” Sabonis told reporters after the Kings’ 107-98 loss to the Clippers.
About 50 jerseys have been distributed, according to a team spokesperson. An alert was posted on social media earlier this week, but most fans didn’t know what happened until they walked into Golden 1 Center.
One lucky fan received his new jersey from Sabonis himself before the game. Afterward, Kings officials greeted fans at the doors or saw them in the stands and extended their hands to facilitate the exchange.
Sabonis, who recorded his eight consecutive double-doubles in the game, said he felt it was important to give back to the fans.
“It’s cool. They make my day every game we play here,” said Sabonis. “They cheer for us, and that’s the main reason why we got our wins.”
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