Sabonis Might Play Back Home

With the NBA season on hold, the free-agent center wants to help

the Lithuanian national team qualify for the European Championships

Arvydas Sabonis' 16-year international career supposedly ended at 
the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, when he helped Lithuania win its second 
straight bronze medal.

Two years and four months later, the player recently voted the 
best in Europe's history is planning a curtain call.

Barring an end to the NBA lockout, Sabonis hopes to play for 
Lithuania three times in a seven-day span qualifying for the 1999 
European Championships, where teams can earn berths to the 2000 
Sydney Olympics.

"It's about 90 percent sure that he will play," his agent, Herb 
Rudoy, said Tuesday. "He wants to help Lithuania get back to the 
Olympics." 

Rudoy has been negotiating a short-term insurance policy for 
Sabonis. According to Kaunodiena, a newspaper in Sabonis' hometown 
of Kaunus, the Lithuanian Basketball Federation will pay about 
$30,000 for a policy in excess of $1 million.

"When, not if, the insurance is finalized, he will play," Rudoy 
said. Sabonis is expected to begin training Friday with the 11-
member Lithuanian national team. The team will play an exhibition 
game Saturday against Ukraine.

The three qualifying games are Nov. 25 in Sarajevo against Bosnia- 
Herzegovina, Nov. 28 in Vilnius against the Netherlands, and Dec. 
2 in Tallin against host Estonia.

Lithuania (3-2) is third in Group D of the qualifying, having lost 
to Bosnia (5-0) and Croatia (4-1). The Netherlands is 2-3, Estonia 
1- 4 and Iceland 0-5.

The top two teams in each of six groups, plus the four third-place 
teams with the best records, will advance to the European 
Championships in France. 

Sabonis, a free agent, is expected to re-sign with the Blazers 
after the lockout for at least $5 million per year.

The Blazers declined to comment on Sabonis' possible play for 
Lithuania, citing an NBA order not to discuss player issues.