The Trail Blazers have a history of picking up big men with knee problems, but there was one in particular who holds a special place in the hearts of Portland fans -- and, on Monday, it was announced in Houston that former Trail Blazer center Arvydas Sabonis will be among 10 players to be inducted into the Class of 2011 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony, presented by NIKE, will take place during the Enshrinement Ceremonies August 11-13 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The inductees include Sabonis, Chris Mullin, Dennis Rodman, Artis Gilmore, Tara VanDerveer, Teresa Edwards, Herb Magee, Tom "Satch" Sanders, Tex Winter, and Reece "Goose" Tatum.
Sabonis was one of the most decorated centers in European History, having won Olympic gold and bronze in addition to winning European Championship gold with the Soviet Union and his home country Lithuania between 1985 and 1996. He was a six-time European Player of the Year.
He was the Spanish League MVP in 1994 and 1995, and the Spanish League Finals MVP in 1993 and 1994. Arvydas was also named the Mr. Europa Player of the Year in 1985 and 1997. After returning to Europe following his final NBA season, Sabonis was named to the 2004 All-Euroleague First Team and won the Euroleague's Most Valuable Player Award.
In 2008, Sabonis was named as one of the 35 greatest European basketball players of all time, and one of only two players on that list from Lithuania.
He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 1985, but the league disallowed the pick because Sabonis was too young to play in the NBA. The following year, 1986, the Trail Blazers drafted him with the 24th overall pick. However, Sabonis remained in Europe before finally coming to the NBA and joining the Portland Trail Blazers in 1995, playing until 2001. He did not play in the 2001-02 season, but returned to the squad for the 2002-03 season, his last in the NBA.
He made the 1996 NBA All-Rookie Team and has already been enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame.
His best statistical season came in 1997-98, when he averaged 16.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. Over his 7-year NBA career, Sabonis averaged 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.05 blocks per game.
Most fans remember the loveable 7-foot-3 center for his excellent passing, incredible line-drive shots, and a hook shot that couldn't be blocked.
© 2011 Max Price - All Rights Reserved.
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