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It’s a girl: Kings center Domantas Sabonis and wife, Shashana, are expecting second child

A year ago, Kings center Domantas Sabonis and his wife, Shashana, welcomed their first child into the world with the birth of their son Tiger. A year later, they are expecting another new addition.

In an interview with The Sacramento Bee following Monday’s 128-120 loss to the Utah Jazz, Sabonis confirmed he and his wife are expecting their second child, and this time it’s a girl.

“Very excited, very excited,” Sabonis said. “It’s going to be a big summer.”

Sabonis has had a big year since coming to Sacramento in the February 2022 blockbuster trade that sent Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield to the Indiana Pacers. Last month, he made his third appearance in the NBA All-Star Game — his first as a member of the Kings — and now he has Sacramento on the verge of making the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

Sabonis said he and his wife have been very happy since joining the Kings organization.

“She loves it,” Sabonis said. “They’ve welcomed us with open arms since I got traded last year, so it’s nothing but great things.”

Sabonis is thriving with first-time All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox, who also has a new baby at home. In his first full season with the Kings, Sabonis is averaging 19.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 7.2 assists. He is currently on pace to join Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to average at least 19.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists while shooting 60% from the field.

On Monday, Sabonis was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the second week in a row and the third time this season. Sabonis is the first player in Kings franchise history to receive three Player of the Week awards in a single season. He is also the first in franchise history to win consecutive Player of the Week awards.

Sabonis is in the third year of a four-year, $74.9 million contract. He will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024.

When asked if he envisions a long-term future for himself in Sacramento as his family establishes roots in Northern California, Sabonis said: “It doesn’t depend on me. It’s up to the top (team executives). I’m doing my job. I’m going to fight for this team always and we’ll see what happens every summer.”