Domas facilitates jersey exchange 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-10 center did on Friday, he will no doubt gain even more fans.
About four dozen fans entering 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 it.
The jersey swap was the brainchild of Sabonis and his wife after the Kings center changed his numbers for the 2024-25 NBA season in homage to his legendary father, Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis.
Sabonis had switched to No. 10 once he arrived in Sacramento because the franchise retired No. 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 just thought it would be a good thing to buy as many as we could and help out some fans,” Sabonis told reporters after the game. Defeat of the Kings 107-98 to the Clippers.
According to a team spokesperson, around fifty jerseys were distributed. A notification was posted on social media earlier in the week, but most fans didn’t know what was happening until they entered the Golden 1 Center.
One lucky fan received his new jersey from Sabonis himself before the game. Afterward, Kings officials greeted fans at the door or saw them in the stands and extended their hands to facilitate the exchange.
Sabonis, who notched his eighth straight double-double in the game, said he thought it was important to give back to the fans.
“It’s cool. They make my day every game we play here,” Sabonis said. “They cheer us on, and that’s the main reason we’ve gotten our wins.”
