Gonzaga could have two NBA All-Stars for first time ever

Domantas Sabonis, Chet Holmgren among leading vote-getters in Western Conference

In 1989, hall-of-fame point guard John Stockton made history as the first player from Gonzaga to be named an NBA All-Star. Stockton would go on to make nine more All-Star games in his illustrious 19-year career, as the Spokane native went down as one of the greatest floor generals the game has ever seen.

Since Stockton was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 16th overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft, Gonzaga men's basketball has sent 28 other players to the big leagues. Twelve of those players were selected in the first round, while only one has been named an NBA All-Star — Domantas Sabonis in 2020. The 6-foot-11 Lithuanian has helped revolutionize the big man position at the pro level while being named to two more All-Star games (2021, 2023), earning All-NBA honors (2023) and being crowned the league's rebounding champion (2023).

Sabonis picked up right where he left from his historic 2022-23 campaign. He's averaging 20.1 points, a league-high 12.7 rebounds and a career-best 7.9 assists for the Sacramento Kings. 

As Sabonis continues to dominate into his eighth season, another former Gonzaga standout's emergence as a star early in his rookie season could see two former Mark Few prodigies make the All-Star game for the first time in program history.

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Chet Holmgren, along with Sabonis, is among the top 10 Western Conference frontcourt players in All-Star votes as of Thursday. Holmgren, averaging the second-most points by a rookie this season with 17.4 points, is ninth with 422,330 votes while Sabonis is 10th with 332,445 votes. The NBA announced the third fan returns of NBA All-Star voting on Thursday.

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo lead their respective conferences in the third fan returns of #NBAAllStar Voting presented by AT&T.

Fans account for 50% of the vote to decide All-Star starters. NBA players and a media panel account for 25% each. pic.twitter.com/fyGeQXgEhH

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 18, 2024

If the voting stands by Saturday, two former Bulldogs will be NBA All-Stars in the same season for the first time in history. Holmgren, as well as Victor Wembanyama, is seeking to be the first rookie to be named an All-Star since Blake Griffin in 2011. Sabonis and teammate De'Aaron Fox meanwhile could be the first Kings duo to earn back-to-back All-Star appearances since Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic did it in 2002 and 2003.

Holmgren and Sabonis have their respective clubs in position for a playoff spot. The Oklahoma City Thunder's (27-13) young crop of talent led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has exceeded all expectations while sitting at No. 2 in the West, while the Kings (23-17) are primed for a second-straight postseason appearance behind Sabonis and Fox.

Needless to say, Gonzaga basketball has come a long way in terms of developing talent from where it started with Stockton in 1985.

Fans can vote on the NBA App or NBA.com with NBA ID, the league’s global membership program. Fan voting concludes Saturday, Jan. 20. The 73rd NBA All-Star game will take place Feb. 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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