Domantas Sabonis will miss 2023 FIBA World Cup

All-NBA forward had surgery on his right thumb this summer

Former Gonzaga men's basketball standout forward Domantas Sabonis will not be representing the Lithuanian national team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, per Lithuanian head coach Kazys Maksvytis.

"The main reasons behind Domantas availability this summer was his contract and health," Maksvytis said in a press conference. "He tried to recover without the surgery, but it didn't work, and he lost time. After the surgery, everything takes longer."

Sabonis underwent surgery to repair a right thumb injury that was originally diagnosed in December, though the Kings center decided to play through the pain while having one of the best seasons of his career. It is unclear when he'll be ready for the 2023-24 season.

The 6-foot-11 big man led the NBA with 12.3 rebounds per game while averaging 19.1 points in 79 starts. He shot a career-best 61.5% from the field and dished out 7.3 assists. His efforts helped lead the Kings to the franchise's first playoff appearance in 16 seasons and earned him his third all-star selection and a spot on the All-NBA third team.

Sacramento rewarded Sabonis with a new five-year, $217 million contract in July. 

Sabonis helped his home country qualify for the 2023 FIBA World Cup last summer, when he averaged 16 points, 5.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds in two qualifier games, both Lithuanian wins over Hungary and Montenegro. The national team went on to finish 9-3, second in Group K standings behind France.

It would have been Sabonis' second appearance in a FIBA World Cup, the first coming when he and Jonas Valanciunas led Lithuania to a seventh-place finish in the 2019 World Cup in China. In four games, Sabonis averaged 10.5 rebounds, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

The 2019 FIBA World Cup begins Friday in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.